(Denver, CO) -- Listen up if you are a gun owner in Colorado because a bill making its way through the Colorado House of Representatives is gathering a lot of attention. Tuesday afternoon the House Judiciary Committee hosted hours of testimony for and against the bill.
According to the legislation's fiscal note, which is how the authors of the bill articulate how it will be funded, a summary is as follows:
The bill prohibits the manufacture, import, purchase, or sale of assault weapons, as defined by the bill, and the possession or sale of rapid-fire trigger activators. Persons attempting to sell an assault weapon or rapid-fire trigger activator after July 1, 2024, are liable for a civil penalty of $250,000 for the first item, and $500,000 for each subsequent item. Exceptions are provided for the sale of remaining inventory after August 1, 2024, to nonresidents, and for military and peace officers, lawful transfers for maintenance, and forensic laboratories, among others. Finally, the bill adds assault weapons to the list of firearms it is unlawful to provide to juveniles without parental or guardian consent.
The bill will need to make it through committees in the House, it will then go to a second reading of the bill. This is when lawmakers will have the chance to speak out for the bill or against the bill by being the voice of their constituents. If it passes a third reading in the House, it will then go to the Senate where it will need to also be heard in committee.
There's still time to speak out on the bill if you would like to be heard. You can do so remotely or in person. More information on how to do this can be found in this link.
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