A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning prohibited activity involving semiautomatic
Page 1, Line 102firearms, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the
Page 1, Line 103manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase
Page 1, Line 104of specified semiautomatic firearms and classifying a
Page 1, Line 105device that increases the rate of fire of a
Page 1, Line 106semiautomatic firearm as a dangerous weapon.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill defines a "specified semiautomatic firearm" as a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine. The bill prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing a specified semiautomatic firearm; except that a person may transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm to an heir, an individual residing in another state, or a federally licensed firearm dealer.
Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm is a class 2 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 6 felony. The department of revenue shall revoke the state firearms dealer permit of a dealer who unlawfully manufactures, distributes, transfers, sells, or purchases a specified semiautomatic firearm. The Colorado bureau of investigation shall deny the transfer of a firearm to a person who was convicted of misdemeanor unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm within 5 years prior to the transfer. A person convicted of felony unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm is prohibited from possessing a firearm or certain other weapons.
Existing law prohibits possession of a dangerous weapon. The bill defines "rapid-fire device" and classifies rapid-fire devices as dangerous weapons under Colorado law. The bill repeals the definition of "machine gun conversion device" and removes machine gun conversion devices from the list of dangerous weapons.
This Unofficial Version Includes Committee
Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-101, repeal (1)(g.2); and add (1)(g.7) and (1)(g.8) as follows:
Page 2, Line 318-12-101. Peace officer affirmative defense - definitions. (1) As used in this article 12, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 4(g.2)
"Machine gun conversion device" means any part designedPage 2, Line 5
or intended, or combination of parts designed or intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun.Page 2, Line 6(g.7) "Rapid-fire device" means any device, part, kit, tool,
Page 2, Line 7accessory, or combination of parts that has the effect of
Page 2, Line 8increasing the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm above the
Page 2, Line 9standard rate of fire for the semiautomatic firearm that is not
Page 3, Line 1otherwise equipped with that device, part, or combination of parts.
Page 3, Line 2(g.8) "Semiautomatic firearm" means a firearm that is not
Page 3, Line 3a machine gun and that, upon initiating the firing sequence, fires
Page 3, Line 4the first chambered cartridge and uses a portion of the energy
Page 3, Line 5of the firing cartridge to extract the expended cartridge case,
Page 3, Line 6chamber the next round, and prepare the firing mechanism to
Page 3, Line 7fire again, and requires a separate pull, release, push, or
Page 3, Line 8initiation of the trigger to fire each cartridge. "Semiautomatic
Page 3, Line 9firearm" includes a semiautomatic rifle, semiautomatic shotgun, or semiautomatic handgun.
Page 3, Line 10SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 18-12-116 as follows:
Page 3, Line 1118-12-116. Enforcement of large-capacity magazine ban by
Page 3, Line 12regulating the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase
Page 3, Line 13of specified semiautomatic firearms - penalties - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 3, Line 14(a) "Cycle the action" means to extract the fired
Page 3, Line 15cartridge case, chamber the next cartridge, and prepare the firing mechanism to fire again.
Page 3, Line 16(b) "Detachable magazine" means an ammunition feeding
Page 3, Line 17device that is not permanently attached to a firearm and may be
Page 3, Line 18removed from the firearm without rendering the firearm
Page 3, Line 19incapable of accepting any magazine. "Detachable magazine"
Page 3, Line 20does not include an attached tubular magazine located under the barrel of a firearm.
Page 3, Line 21(c) "Gas-operated semiautomatic handgun" means any
Page 4, Line 1semiautomatic handgun that harnesses or traps a portion of the
Page 4, Line 2high-pressure gas from a fired cartridge to cycle the action using any of the following:
Page 4, Line 3(I) A long-stroke piston system in which gas is vented from
Page 4, Line 4the barrel to a piston that is mechanically fixed to the bolt group and moves to cycle the action;
Page 4, Line 5(II) A short-stroke piston system in which gas is vented
Page 4, Line 6from the barrel to a piston that moves separately from the bolt
Page 4, Line 7group so that the energy is imparted through a gas piston to cycle the action;
Page 4, Line 8(III) A system that traps and vents gas from either the
Page 4, Line 9barrel or the chamber to directly strike or impinge the bolt, bolt carrier, or slide assembly, to unlock and cycle the action;
Page 4, Line 10(IV) A hybrid system that combines elements of a system
Page 4, Line 11described in subsection (1)(c)(I) of this section with a system
Page 4, Line 12described in subsection (1)(c)(II) or (1)(c)(III) of this section to capture gas vented from the barrel to cycle the action; or
Page 4, Line 13(V) A blowback-operated system that directly utilizes
Page 4, Line 14the expanding gasses of the ignited propellant powder acting on
Page 4, Line 15the cartridge case to drive the breechblock or breech bolt rearward.
Page 4, Line 16(d) (I) "Specified semiautomatic firearm" means any of the
Page 4, Line 17following, except as provided in subsection (1)(d)(II) of this section:
Page 4, Line 18(A) A semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine; or
Page 4, Line 19(B) A gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.
Page 5, Line 1(II) "Specified semiautomatic firearm" does not include:
Page 5, Line 2(A) A firearm designed to accept, and capable of
Page 5, Line 3operating only with, .22 or lower caliber rimfire ammunition, unless the firearm has a separate upper and lower receiver;
Page 5, Line 4(B) A firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action;
Page 5, Line 5(C) A firearm that has a permanently fixed magazine that cannot accept more than fifteen rounds of ammunition;
Page 5, Line 6(D) A single or double action semiautomatic handgun that uses recoil to cycle the action of the handgun;
Page 5, Line 7(E) A firearm that has been made permanently inoperable; or
Page 5, Line 8(F) An antique firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921 (a)(16).
Page 5, Line 9(2) On or after September 1, 2025, it is unlawful for any
Page 5, Line 10person to knowingly manufacture, distribute, transfer, sell, or
Page 5, Line 11purchase a specified semiautomatic firearm; except that a person
Page 5, Line 12may sell or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm to an
Page 5, Line 13heir, an individual residing in another state, or a federally licensed firearm dealer.
Page 5, Line 14(3) This section does not apply to:
Page 5, Line 15(a) The manufacture, transfer, or sale of a specified
Page 5, Line 16semiautomatic firearm to, or receipt or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm by:
Page 5, Line 17(I) A federal, state, or local law enforcement agency for
Page 5, Line 18the purpose of equipping the agency's peace officers;
Page 6, Line 1(II) A peace officer, as described in section 16-2.5-101, who
Page 6, Line 2is certified by the peace officer standards and training board
Page 6, Line 3created in section 24-31-302, if the agency that employs the
Page 6, Line 4peace officer requires or permits the peace officer to carry a
Page 6, Line 5specified semiautomatic firearm for use in the peace officer's official capacity;
Page 6, Line 6(III) The department of corrections, the warden of a
Page 6, Line 7prison, the superintendent of a facility in which a person has
Page 6, Line 8been placed by transfer from a correctional facility pursuant
Page 6, Line 9to section 17-23-101, the keeper of a jail, or the head of any
Page 6, Line 10other institution for the detention of people accused or
Page 6, Line 11convicted of an offense, in order to equip staff for the performance of their official duties; or
Page 6, Line 12(IV) An entity that operates an armored vehicle business
Page 6, Line 13for use by an authorized employee of the entity while in the course and scope of the employee's duties;
Page 6, Line 14(b) The manufacture, transfer, or sale of a specified
Page 6, Line 15semiautomatic firearm to, or receipt or purchase of a specified
Page 6, Line 16semiautomatic firearm for use by, members of the armed services
Page 6, Line 17or reserve forces of the United States or of the Colorado National Guard, in the performance of their official duties;
Page 6, Line 18(c) The transfer of a specified semiautomatic firearm to, and receipt of a specified semiautomatic firearm by:
Page 6, Line 19(I) A federally licensed firearms dealer for temporary storage or permanent disposal; or
Page 6, Line 20(II) A gunsmith, or an educational program designed for
Page 6, Line 21the repair or maintenance of weapons approved by a school, for
Page 7, Line 1the purposes of maintenance, repair, or modification and the
Page 7, Line 2subsequent return of the specified semiautomatic firearm to the
Page 7, Line 3lawful owner, as long as the lawful owner is not otherwise
Page 7, Line 4prohibited by law from possessing the specified semiautomatic firearm;
Page 7, Line 5(d) The transfer or sale of a specified semiautomatic
Page 7, Line 6firearm to, and receipt or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm by:
Page 7, Line 7(I) A federal, state, or local historical society, museum,
Page 7, Line 8or institutional collection that is open to the public, if the
Page 7, Line 9specified semiautomatic firearm is rendered permanently inoperable prior to the sale or transfer; and
Page 7, Line 10(II) A forensic laboratory, or any authorized agent or
Page 7, Line 11employee of the laboratory, for use exclusively in the course and scope of forensic analysis; and
Page 7, Line 12(e) The manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or
Page 7, Line 13rental of a specified semiautomatic firearm capable of only
Page 7, Line 14firing blanks by, or receipt or purchase of a specified
Page 7, Line 15semiautomatic firearm capable of only firing blanks from, a
Page 7, Line 16federally licensed firearm dealer, for use solely as a prop for a film, as defined in section 24-48.5-114.
Page 7, Line 17(4) (a) A person who violates this section commits
Page 7, Line 18unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm.
Page 7, Line 19(b) Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale,
Page 7, Line 20or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm is a class 2
Page 7, Line 21misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 6 felony.
Page 8, Line 1SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-108, amend (7)(hhh) and (7)(iii); and add (7)(jjj) as follows:
Page 8, Line 218-12-108. Possession of weapons by previous offenders. (7) In
Page 8, Line 3addition to a conviction for felony crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302
Page 8, Line 4(1), a felony conviction or adjudication for one of the following felonies
Page 8, Line 5prohibits a person from possessing, using, or carrying upon the person a
Page 8, Line 6firearm as defined in section 18-1-901 (3)(h) or any other weapon that is subject to this article 12 pursuant to subsection (1) or (3) of this section:
Page 8, Line 7(hhh) A criminal attempt, complicity, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in this subsection (7);
andPage 8, Line 8(iii) Unlawful conduct involving an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver, as described in section 18-12-111.5; and
Page 8, Line 9(jjj) Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale,
Page 8, Line 10or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm, as described in section 18-12-116.
Page 8, Line 11SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-424, amend (3)(b.3)(XI) and (3)(b.3)(XII); and add (3)(b.3)(XIII) as follows:
Page 8, Line 1224-33.5-424. National instant criminal background check
Page 8, Line 13system - state point of contact - fee - grounds for denial of firearm
Page 8, Line 14transfer - appeal - rule-making - unlawful acts - instant criminal
Page 8, Line 15background check cash fund - creation. (3) (b.3) In addition to the
Page 8, Line 16grounds for denial specified in subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b) of this
Page 8, Line 17section, the bureau shall deny a transfer of a firearm if the prospective
Page 8, Line 18transferee has been convicted of any of the following offenses committed
Page 8, Line 19on or after June 19, 2021, if the offense is classified as a misdemeanor,
Page 8, Line 20or if the prospective transferee has been convicted in another state or
Page 9, Line 1jurisdiction, including a military or federal jurisdiction, of an offense that,
Page 9, Line 2if committed in Colorado, would constitute any of the following offenses
Page 9, Line 3classified as a misdemeanor offense, within five years prior to the transfer:
Page 9, Line 4(XI) Unlawfully providing a firearm other than a handgun to a juvenile, as described in section 18-12-108.7 (3);
orPage 9, Line 5(XII) Unlawful conduct involving an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver, as described in section 18-12-111.5; or
Page 9, Line 6(XIII) Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale,
Page 9, Line 7or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm, as described in section 18-12-116.
Page 9, Line 8SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-401.5, amend (8)(a)(IV)(D) and (8)(a)(IV)(E); and add (8)(a)(IV)(F) as follows:
Page 9, Line 918-12-401.5. Permit required - issuing agency - cash fund -
Page 9, Line 10inspections - penalty - report - rules - repeal. (8) (a) Notwithstanding
Page 9, Line 11subsection (7) of this section, the department shall revoke a state permit if the state permit holder:
Page 9, Line 12(IV) Is convicted of any of the following:
Page 9, Line 13(D) Selling or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess the firearm pursuant to state or federal law;
orPage 9, Line 14(E) Selling or otherwise transferring a firearm component or
Page 9, Line 15accessory, as defined in section 29-11.7-101.5, to another person in violation of federal, state, or local law; or
Page 9, Line 16(F) Manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or
Page 9, Line 17purchasing a specified semiautomatic firearm in violation of section 18-12-116.
Page 9, Line 18SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-31-120 as follows:
Page 10, Line 124-31-120. List of prohibited weapons.The attorney general
Page 10, Line 2may provide guidance and clarification for law enforcement
Page 10, Line 3agencies and firearm buyers and sellers to assist in the
Page 10, Line 4implementation of section 18-12-116. The attorney general may
Page 10, Line 5publish guidance and opinions concerning section 18-12-116,
Page 10, Line 6including, but not limited to, opinions about the specific models of firearms to which section 18-12-116 (2) applies.
Page 10, Line 7SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-102, amend (1) as follows:
Page 10, Line 818-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon -
Page 10, Line 9affirmative defense - definition. (1) As used in this section, the term
Page 10, Line 10"dangerous weapon" means a firearm silencer, machine gun,
machine gun conversion devicePage 10, Line 11SECTION 8. Effective date - applicability. This act takes effect
Page 10, Line 12September 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after said date.
Page 10, Line 13SECTION 9. Severability. If any provision of this act or the
Page 10, Line 14application of this act to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
Page 10, Line 15invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the act that
Page 10, Line 16can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.
Page 10, Line 17SECTION 10. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 10, Line 18determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 10, Line 19preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 10, Line 20the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state
Page 10, Line 21institutions.