Democrat Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday signed into law one of the most sweeping arguably unconstitutional gun bans in the nation’s history.
The measure bans the sale of the most popular selling rifle in America—the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR)—unless Coloradans obtain from their county sheriff approval, based on subjective criteria, a permit-to-purchase semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines.
Under the law, the sale of semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting a detachable magazine will be banned unless those purchasing the firearms are vetted by a local sheriff and complete a firearm certification course. Sheriff approval to apply for a permit-to-purchase is based on subjective criteria, which was expressly rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2022 Bruen decision.
County sheriffs can deny an application if they have a “reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the application makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to themself or others.”
Of course, pro-gun groups, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), were quick to speak out against Gov. Polis’ signing of the measure.
“This law is unconstitutional on its face. It is a gun control group spurred attack on the Second Amendment rights of those who follow the law,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s senior vice president and general counsel. “Colorado lawmakers who claim Gov. Polis’ gun ban will make their state safer have yet to offer legislation that would hold criminals accountable for the criminal misuse of firearms. Instead, they violate the rights of those who obey the law.”
The powerful National Rifle Association (NRA), which worked diligently to try to kill the measure, was also outspoken about the bill being signed into law, which was done at an invitation-only signing ceremony with gun-ban group representatives present.
“Behind closed doors, Governor Polis cowardly signed into law the most anti-gun, anti-freedom bill in Colorado’s history,” the NRA said in a released statement. “Instead of respecting the individual liberties of gun owners and hunters in his state, he bent the knee to the radical gun control element of his party. In Jared’s Colorado, you need a Polis permission slip to exercise your constitutional rights. If this proposal was popular with his citizens, it would not need to be enacted in secret.”
On the other hand, gun-ban organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety, were ecstatic with Colorado’s governor signing the measure.
“Colorado’s new law is the definition of common sense: If you want to buy a military-style rifle that can kill dozens without needing to reload, you need to get a permit that requires passing a background check and taking a safety course,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “This innovative approach to keeping weapons of war out of dangerous hands establishes a model for other states, and we applaud Governor Polis and the legislature for coming together to address the threat of mass shootings, which Coloradans know all too well.”
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