Colorado Drafts Bill To Ban The Sale Of Assault Weapons, Semiautomatics, And Some Shotguns

Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are seeking to ban the sale of what are labeled as assault weapons, though owners of these guns would still be allowed to posses them, which includes citizens who purchase assault weapons in other states will not be penalized either.

State Eep. Andrew Boesenecker, who is heading this bill, told The Colorado Sun that criminal and civil penalties under ‘the measure would be reserved for individuals, businesses and manufacturers that sell or try to sell so-called assault weapons’ – which was a change from the original draft that also banned the possession of these rifles.

We know that when we create space between the motive to do something horrific and the ready availability of a firearm with which to do that we save lives.

Bosenecker said

As it is written, the new law would classify an assault weapon as a semi-automatic that has the capacity to use a detachable magazine or has the ability to be modified to use a detachable magazine.

Other effected features would include:

• A pistol grip or anything that could function as a grip by the user’s non-trigger hand
• Any type of changeable stock — folding, telescoping, thumbhole or detachable — that would reduce the size of the firearm to conceal it
• A tool to suppress the muzzle flash 
• A functional grenade launcher
• A barrel shroud to protect a user from being burned if they hold it with a non-trigger hand
• A threaded barrel 

Semi-automatic pistols also get the same classification and stipulations, including other features and attachments such as:

• A threaded barrel 
• A second pistol grip or anything that could function as a grip by the user’s non-trigger hand
• A barrel shroud to protect a user from being burned if they hold it with a non-trigger hand
• A tool to suppress the muzzle flash 
• The capacity to accept a detachable ammunition-feeding device at some location outside of the pistol
• A manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more if unloaded
• A buffer tube, arm brace or other feature that protrudes horizontally behind the pistol grip

Furthermore, certain shotguns are also under the crosshairs by these representatives. ‘The sale or attempted sale of shotguns with revolving cylinders and semiautomatic firearms that can accept a belt ammunition feeding device would also be banned, as would the sale or attempted sale of .50 caliber rifles and semiautomatic rifles with a fixed, large-capacity magazine,’ the Colorado Sun notes. Semiautomatic shotguns are also included, along with one of more of these features:

• A pistol grip or anything that can function as a grip by the user’s non-trigger hand
• Any type of changeable stock — folding, telescoping, thumbhole or detachable — that would reduce the size of the firearm to conceal it
• A functional grenade launcher
• A fixed, large-capacity magazine
• The capacity to accept a detachable magazine

Those who violate this bill if passed will be charged with a a Class 2 misdemeanor, which can result 120 days in prison, or a $750 fine, or both. Individual violators could be fined $1,000 for an offense on or between July 1st and December 31st, 2024, and $5,000 for an offense on or after January 1st, 2025.

Licensed firearm dealers face a fine of $250,000 for a first offense and $500,000 for second and subsequent offenses, beginning on July 1st.

The Colorado Sun noted:

The assault weapons measure, however, is likely to be the most contentious gun bill debated by the legislature in 2023, if not ever. It’s unclear whether Boesenecker and his fellow prime sponsors — Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, and Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora — will pick up enough support to pass the legislation.

Democrats control the House and Senate by wide margins, but assault weapons bans haven’t been introduced in the past because of a lack of political will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3T0XkSMtmg

Several weeks ago Illinois passed a bill that bans the sale and purchase of assault weapons and some handguns. However many sheriffs have said that they will not enforce the edicts.

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AUTHOR COMMENTARY

Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Similar to Illinois, I don’t foresee a lot of of sheriffs and police stations enforcing this bill, assuming it goes through and/or is later overturned. Plus there are provisions that allow Coloradoans to go to other states to get these same guns. Inconvenient, yes, but the options are still there.

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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