New legislation that raises the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21 will go into effect on August 7.
SB23-169, sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and House Majority Leader Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, raises the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21, with limited exceptions.
“Gun deaths in Colorado have been climbing higher and higher every year, and a disproportionate number of them are committed by younger Coloradans,” Sen. Mullica said.
“As an ER nurse I’ve seen firsthand the devastating ways gun violence impacts our communities, which is why I am proud to champion this new law that will reduce gun violence and save lives all across our state.”
Illegal possession of a firearm by a person under 21 years of age is a class 2 misdemeanor and a class 5 felony for second and subsequent violations. The bill lists exceptions for persons less than 21 years of age to the offense of illegal possession of a firearm by a person 21 years of age, including if that person is possessing the firearm for the purpose of:
- Attending a hunter’s education or firearms safety course;
- Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting where authorized;
- Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm;
- Hunting, trapping, taking, or killing wildlife as allowed by law; or
- Participating in a bona fide shooting class, training, or sanctioned event, under the supervision of a peace officer or a person who is 25 years of age or older and is a certified hunter education or firearms training instructor;
- Participating in an accredited gunsmithing course;
- Traveling with an unloaded firearm to any of the exceptions listed;
- Serving as an active member of the United States armed forces;
- Serving as a peace officer or certified by the P.O.S.T. board; or
- Being at least 18 years of age when this bill was enacted in 2023.
“Young people aged 12-24 make up one-fifth of the population, but commit just under half of all gun murders,” said Sen. Danielson. “Democrats are committed to doing everything we can to prevent gun violence in Colorado, and our new law will do just that. Raising the age to purchase a firearm will keep more deadly weapons away from our youth, reduce youth suicide rates, and make our communities safer.”
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade.
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