Colorado bill aims to ban ‘weapons used in mass shootings’

Carly Moore
·3 min read
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DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado lawmakers will discuss what they are calling an “assault weapons” ban in the judiciary committee on Tuesday

This is one of several new bills focused on access to guns.

House Bill 24-1292 is aimed at cracking down on what lawmakers call “weapons used in mass shootings.”

The bill defines the term “assault weapon” and prohibits a person from manufacturing, buying, and selling an assault weapon.

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The bill also prohibits a person from possessing a rapid-fire trigger activator.

If caught, people will be required to pay a fine of $250,000. It then increases to $500,000 for each subsequent violation.

A measure similar to this one failed at the capitol in 2023.

One of the sponsors is Democratic Rep. Tim Hernández. He promised to bring it forward as Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned she backed a ban on assault weapons during her most recent visit to Denver.

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners rally

A rally started at 8 a.m. on the steps of the Capitol by Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. They plan to express their opposition to the ban.

The group of about 100 gathered outside and is expected to move inside for the discussion.

The effort is called “Save Our Second,” and it is looking to stop the ban.

The group believes the bill threatens their constitutional rights.

“This is a pivotal moment for gun owners and advocates of the Second Amendment in Colorado. Your participation sends a clear message that our rights are non-negotiable,” said rally organizers.

What is an assault weapon?

While there is no nationally recognized definition, Colorado’s bill includes several criteria that will be used. This starts with it being a semi-automatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine or may be modified to accept a detachable magazine.

In addition to that, if the gun meets one or more of the following criteria it would be banned by this bill:

  • A pistol grip or thumbhole stock

  • Any feature capable of functioning as a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand

  • A folding, telescoping, or detachable stock that is otherwise foldable or adjustable in a manner that operates to reduce the length, size, or any other dimension, or otherwise enhances the ability to conceal the weapon

  • A muzzle brake

  • A functional grenade launcher or flare launcher

  • A shroud attached to the barrel, or that partially or completely encircles the barrel, allowing the bearer to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned, but excluding a slide that encloses the barrel

  • A threaded barrel; 22

  • Is one of the following types of rifles, copies, duplicates, variants, or altered facsimiles with the capability of any such weapon: All AK types, all AR types, all Thompson rifles and more (a full list can be found starting on page six of the bill)

Semi-automatic pistols and shotguns with similar features would also be considered assault weapons if this bill is passed in its current form.

This list is similar but not identical to what was included in the federal assault weapons ban of 1994, however under that law guns had to meet two of the listed requirements in addition to having a detachable magazine.

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