Senate approves bill restricting certain semiautomatic firearms and adding training and exemption rules

Senate Bill 3, concerning prohibited activity involving specified semiautomatic firearms, passed the Colorado Senate on Feb. 18, 2025, by a roll-call vote of 19 ayes and 15 no, following lengthy floor debate and several amendments.

The bill, as described on the Senate floor, prohibits certain activity involving semiautomatic firearms and classifies devices that increase the rate of fire as dangerous weapons. Sponsors said the measure targets public-safety risks while exempting many commonly used hunting rifles; opponents said the bill would treat the constitutional right to keep and bear arms as a government-granted privilege rather than a right.

Sponsor remarks and technical amendments Sponsor Senator Gonzales asked permission to offer a technical third-reading amendment (L042) to clarify language such as replacing some terminology and to…