For all intents and purposes, Colorado has rendered the Second Amendment a privilege, not a right, and that still upsets leftist politicians who wanted even more draconian restrictions placed on gun ownership in the state. In January, Democrat lawbreakers, sorry, I meant lawmakers,  introduced one of the most sweeping “assault weapon” bans ever considered, intending to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of most semi-automatic firearms in existence, including any handgun, rifle, or shotgun that accepts detachable magazines.

After approving a series of amendments meant to appease Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who is wary of sweeping firearm restrictions, likely remembering the 2013 recall petitions and ousted politicians after the state passed a series of gun control bills, Senate Bill 25-3 is set for a final recorded vote sometime this week. It needs eighteen votes to pass, and with twenty-three Democrats in the chamber, it is likely to move to the House next for consideration, where Democrats also have a strong majority.

Now amended, SB 25-3 would carve out a provision for Coloradans who complete a safety and training course to purchase firearms otherwise banned by the bill. It took nearly 10 hours of debate, finally passing after midnight on Valentine’s Day, for the chamber to come to what sounds like a reluctant agreement.

Senator Tom Sullivan, the bill’s sponsor and Centennial Democrat, used the debate as a platform to stand atop the graves of the twelve people, including his son, killed in a 2012 Aurora mass shooting, by holding a photo of a 100-round magazine used by the gunman throughout the debate. My heart goes out to him and all those who have lost loved ones in senseless tragedies, but this type of appeal to demonize an inanimate object is blatant emotional blackmail for which you’ll find no forgiveness from me. 

“We spent quite a bit of time these last several weeks trying to get it to a space where we could be inclusive to everyone who was having concerns… What we’re trying to do is save lives… We are all hoping that those 550 million firearms that are out there are in the hands of law-abiding, responsible gun owners and we don’t have to worry about them taking any action in our communities. What we are worried about is the new (owners) who all of sudden just walk down the street, and … after we pass this, and starting in September, the only assault style weapons they can get are going to have attached magazines to it,” says Sullivan.

The sentiment is utterly disingenuous, however, as it has been explained ad nauseam that criminals who are willing to commit murder don’t concern themselves with magazine capacity limits, guns that are banned, or other ridiculous gun control measures. This isn’t a debate anymore. It’s just common sense that demonstrates the shameless lengths that the anti-Second Amendment left will go to and the logic that they will evade to usher in a more authoritarian government with citizens reduced to subjects. 

“I want to acknowledge the extent to which we’ve heard concerns … from our governor and from Coloradans. We’ve worked to address them,” echoed another bill sponsor, Democrat Senator Julie Gonzales from Denver.

In Colorado, participating in the privilege that was once a right of all Americans now involves being vetted by a county sheriff in a process similar to acquiring a concealed carry permit. If approved, they would then need to attend a four-hour basic firearm safety course if they have already completed a hunter safety course from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which is required to obtain a state hunting license.

Those who do not have a hunter safety certification, however, will be subject to an extended twelve-hour in-person training conducted over two days, which is said to cover firearm handling, safe storage, child safety, data on mental illness-related gun deaths, and Colorado’s red flag law. Upon completion of the course, an exam score of 90% or higher would be necessary to qualify for the exemption, which is valid for five years before needing to take another class to requalify for the privilege of buying firearms with detachable magazines. 

Opponents of the bill argue reasonably that it will cause irreparable damage to the firearm industry in Colorado, as if that wasn’t the point of the measure in the first place. Republicans are averse to the bill and the amendments to it, as Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen says he opposes any policy that transforms the Constitutional right to bear arms into a privilege.

“Sure, it’s a small thing to get a little bit of education to get a firearm, but it’s a big thing to turn your back on your rights as a citizen,” said Lundeen.