Following Gov. Jared Polis’ signing of the sweeping gun ban measure last week, some Colorado sheriffs, who have opposed the bill all along, are still speaking out against the action.
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 the U.S. Supreme Court expressly rejected Court in the 2022 Bruen decision.
“I am deeply disappointed in the Governor’s decision not to veto Senate Bill 25-003,” El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal said in a news release after the bill signing. “Public safety experts across the state opposed this legislation, as it will be burdensome on law-abiding citizens, and have no adverse effect on criminals.
Royball said that because of the law, small businesses across the state will have to close their doors, and individuals looking to purchase firearms for self-defense will now have to participate in a ‘permit-to-purchase’ system, saddling hard-working Coloradans with unnecessary fees, bureaucratic hurdles and a state-mandated registration when exercising their constitutional rights.
“It is clear those who hold the power in our state legislature are more interested in carrying out a political agenda, rather than sponsoring and voting for legislation which enhances public safety and preserves the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” he said. “Senate Bill 25-003 will do nothing to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and put small businesses out of business in Colorado.”
Roybal added that as the El Paso County sheriff, he is working to minimize the inconveniences for his citizens who wish to exercise their Second Amendment constitutional rights and purchase firearms while adhering to the law.
“I will communicate my plan to ensure the preservation and protection of El Paso County citizens’ ability to purchase firearms at a later date,” he concluded.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell also spoke out after the signing, saying the new law is “going to be a nightmare.”
“This is going to be a heavy burden for everyone in law enforcement,” Mikesell said. “It will have no impact on criminal acts. It will have no effect on mental health impacts. This law is just really a bad law and is probably the worst in United States history.”
Mikesell added that since there are no guidelines in place yet, the burden will be on both gun owners and law enforcement personnel.
“The problem is the state doesn’t have guidelines on a vetting process yet,” he said. “So, the state doesn’t have guidelines on instructors yet. They have nothing set up, and they’re actually burdening the departments that have very few people.”
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