(Denver, CO) -- One of the most accessed bills on the Colorado General Assembly's website, House Bill 23-1230, the Prohibit Assault Weapons in Colorado Bill will be in committee this week.
It was first introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives March 3rd.
And while there was talk that it wouldn't make it through, it is scheduled for testimony in the House Judiciary committee April 19th at 1:30.
(pictured are some of the firearms that would fall under the bill's description of those that would be prohibited)
According to the bill's text, the bill would prohibit buying and selling certain firearms in the state should the bill become a law. Here is the exact text as written in the legislation:
THEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DETERMINES THAT A BAN ON KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURING, IMPORTING, PURCHASING, SELLING, OFFERING TO SELL, OR TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON, OR KNOWINGLY CAUSING THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORTATION, PURCHASE, SALE, OFFER TO SELL OR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ASSAULT WEAPONS IN COLORADO IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE.
So you might be wondering what the authors of the bill are considering to be assault weapons. The bill defines an assault weapon as a semiautomatic rifle that can hold a detachable magazine or who that can be modified to accept one. And if the rifle has some of the following characteristics such as a grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand, a stock that comes off the rifle or can be folded.
The bill also prohibits a person from possessing a rapid-fire trigger activator. This would be a class two misdemeanor should the legislations be passed and signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.
The bill makes an exception for the military, law enforcement or a government officer or agent to possess these.
The bill makes an exception for antique firearms that were made before 1899.
The legislation's fiscal note, how lawmakers estimate the state will fund the new law, states if you're caught violating the new law after July 1st of 2023, you face a class two misdemeanor and a $1,000 penalty for the offense. after January 1st of 2024, it increases to $5,000. A licensed gun dealer trying to sell an assault weapon after July 1st of 2023 will face a penalty of $250,000 for the first weapon sold, after that it's $500,000 for each sale following.
The fiscal note estimates that the increased costs to the state's budget for enforcing this law will be minimal but could actually make money for the state in the ballpark of around least $23,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 and at least $117,000 the next year and years to come. It would be credited to various cash funds in the Judicial Department and the General Fund.
If you want to speak out on this bill, either for or against, as a Colorado citizen you're allowed a chance to testify. For those who cannot make it to Denver to do so in person, the Colorado General Assembly can allow for remote testimony through this link. You must sign up to testify. The committee meets April 19th in Judiciary at 1:30PM.
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