On March 24, 2025, Colorado’s controversial Senate Bill 25-003 cleared its third reading in the Senate—marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over firearm rights in the state. The bill, which proposes sweeping restrictions on specific semiautomatic firearms and rapid-fire devices, has ignited widespread concern from gun rights advocates, legal scholars, and everyday Coloradans.
This legislation seeks to ban the manufacture, sale, and transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms and rate-enhancing devices, such as bump stocks and binary triggers. While it includes carve-outs for law enforcement, gunsmiths, and military use, its broad language has triggered alarm over its potential reach and constitutionality.
Critics argue that the bill creates financial and logistical barriers that disproportionately impact working-class citizens, people of color, and rural Coloradans. Mandatory firearm safety courses, permit fees, and subjective licensing denials are seen as gatekeeping tactics disguised as safety measures. Concerns over ADA noncompliance and an overburdened CPW system further complicate enforcement.
Legal experts point to Bruen and other Supreme Court precedents that SB25-003 may conflict with, predicting costly legal battles ahead.
