In the wake of the tragic mass shooting at a Boulder, Colorado grocery store in March 2021, the state’s lawmakers have been working to pass new gun control legislation. While progress has been made on some bills, it appears unlikely that a ban on semi-automatic weapons will be passed.
One of the most significant gun control bills currently being considered in Colorado is HB21-1298, which would require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within five days of discovering them missing. The bill has already passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help prevent stolen guns from ending up in the hands of criminals, while opponents argue that it places an undue burden on law-abiding gun owners.
Another bill, HB21-1299, would create a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The office would be responsible for collecting data on gun violence in the state and developing strategies to prevent it. The bill has also passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate.
However, one bill that appears unlikely to pass is SB21-256, which would ban the sale and possession of semi-automatic rifles and pistols that can accept high-capacity magazines. The bill was introduced in the Senate in April but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. While some lawmakers and gun control advocates support a ban on semi-automatic weapons, others argue that such a ban would infringe on Second Amendment rights and would not effectively reduce gun violence.
In addition to these bills, Colorado lawmakers are also considering legislation that would require background checks for all gun sales, including those conducted at gun shows and online. Background checks are already required for sales conducted by licensed firearms dealers, but private sales are currently exempt. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help keep guns out of the hands of people who are prohibited from owning them, while opponents argue that it will not be effective in reducing gun violence.
Overall, while progress has been made on some gun control bills in Colorado, it appears unlikely that a ban on semi-automatic weapons will be passed. However, the state’s lawmakers are continuing to work on other measures aimed at reducing gun violence and promoting public safety.
