The Colorado House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, passed a bill on Sunday that aims to ban the sale and transfer of semiautomatic firearms, marking a significant legislative move that could align Colorado with other states that have similar prohibitions, according to ABC News.
The bill, which was approved by a 35-27 vote, now heads to the Democratic-majority state Senate.
This legislative push comes a year after a nearly identical proposal was rejected by Democrats, citing concerns about the scope of the ban and commitments to their constituents to avoid excessive government intervention.
The bill’s journey through the Senate is anticipated to be challenging despite the Democratic majority, as Colorado has historically been a battleground state with a mixed political heritage.
Governor Jared Polis, also a Democrat, has expressed reservations about the bill, reflecting the nuanced positions within the party on gun control measures.
Last year, Governor Polis signed four less comprehensive gun control laws, including raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms to 21, establishing a three-day waiting period for gun purchases, enhancing the state’s red flag law, and reducing legal protections for the firearms industry, making it more susceptible to lawsuits from gun violence victims.
