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Colorado House Passes Semiautomatic Firearms Ban, Bill Heads to Senate

The controversial bill, which bans the sale and transfer of semiautomatic firearms, faces significant challenges in the Colorado Senate amid strong opposition and skepticism from Governor Jared Polis.

Visitors stand on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol, April 23, 2023, in Denver. Colorado's Democratic-controlled House on Sunday, April 14, 2024, passed a bill that would ban the sale and transfer of semiautomatic firearms, a major step for the legislation after roughly the same bill was swiftly killed by Democrats last year. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
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Overview

  • House Bill 1292 passed the Colorado House on a 35-27 vote, largely along party lines, and is now set to be reviewed by the state Senate.
  • The bill defines and bans certain semiautomatic firearms and includes penalties for violations, such as fines up to $500,000.
  • Opponents argue the bill infringes on Second Amendment rights and predict it will not be enforced in many counties.
  • Supporters claim the ban is essential for public safety, citing Colorado's history of mass shootings as a driving force behind the legislation.
  • Governor Polis has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of state-level bans and prefers federal legislation on gun control.