Democrats passed three gun-control bills through the Colorado Senate over bipartisan opposition.
Senate Bill 23-168 allows for firearms industry members to be held liable in civil court for misuse of their products or services. Senate Bill 23-169 will forbid adults under the age of 21 from purchasing a firearm of any kind with limited exceptions. Senate Bill 23-170 expands the list of those who can request an ERPO, commonly known as a ‘red flag order.’ All three bills were opposed by both Republican and Democrat members of the Senate.
During a 12 hour floor debate last Friday, Colorado Senate Republicans offered multiple amendments to the bills aimed at protecting Colorado’s most vulnerable. Among them included amendments that would have allowed victims of domestic abuse and stalking who are under the age of 21 to purchase a gun for self defense; against bipartisan support, the Democrat majority killed the amendments.
Republicans were, however, successful in amending Senate Bill 23-169 to grandfather current individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of the bill’s enactment. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-Weld County).
Violent crime in the state of Colorado has been rising drastically for the past several years, increasing by 24.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation had also reported a 61.4% increase in murder, a 15.7% increase in robbery, and a 44.8% increase in assault in the state of Colorado since 2019.