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2025 General Session Kicks off with Four Gun Bills

The 2025 Colorado General Assembly began Jan. 8, and four bills related to the regulation of firearms were immediately introduced.

SB25-003, Semiautomatic Firearms and Rapid Fire Devices, prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing specified semiautomatic firearms. ‘A specified semiautomatic firearm’ is defined in the bill as “a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.” Violation of the law would be a class 2 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent offense is a class 6 felony. Prime sponsors are Sen. Tom Sullivan (D-27); Sen. Julie Gonzalez (D-34); Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (D-53); and Rep. Meg Froelich (D-3). The bill has been assigned to the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee

SB25-034, Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms Waiver, establishes a process for a person to voluntarily waive the right to purchase a firearm (voluntary waiver). The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will deny a firearm transfer to the person while the voluntary waiver is in effect. The Bureau also will develop an online portal for a person to electronically file for a voluntary waiver, update contact information, and revoke a voluntary waiver. The Bureau will be required to verify the filer’s identity before accepting a voluntary waiver or revocation. Prime sponsors are Sen. Cathy Kipp (D-14) and Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (D-53). The bill has been assigned to the  Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.

HB25-1062, Penalty for Theft of Firearms, exempts theft of firearms from the sentencing structure based on a stolen item’s value and makes theft of a firearm a class 6 felony, regardless of the firearm’s value. Subsequent violations, including multiple firearms stolen in the same criminal incident, are separate class 5 felonies. Prime sponsors are Rep. Ryan Armagost (R-64); Rep. Monica Duran (D-23); and Sen. Nick Hinrichsen (D-3). The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Another bill, HB25-1055, Repeal of Firearm Dealer Permit, would repeal the firearm dealer requirements enacted last year in HB 24-1353, including:

  • The requirement for a firearms dealer to obtain a state firearms dealer permit to engage in the business of dealing in firearms on and after July 1, 2025;
  • The requirement for the department of revenue to conduct on-site inspections of state permit holders;
  • The requirement that a dealer secure firearms in a manner that prevents members of the public from accessing the firearms;
  • Specific requirements for a dealer to report to law enforcement about suspected straw purchases and firearm thefts by employees;
  • The prohibition on a dealer selling or transferring a firearm outside of the dealer’s posted business hours or to a person who is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance;
  • The requirement for each dealer and each employee of a dealer whose position involves handling firearms to annually complete a training course; and
  • Minimum qualifications for employees of dealers and the requirement for employees to submit to background checks.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Max Brooks (R-45) and has been assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. Colorado Ceasefire investigations have found that many gun dealers are not complying with all Colorado’s firearm laws. Therefore, Ceasefire was a strong proponent of HB 24-1353 and will work to fight this repeal bill. We encourage the public to contact their legislators to voice your opposition.


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