Sweeping Gun Ban Becomes Law

IN WHAT HAS BEEN CONDEMNED as one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation, Colorado Governor Jared Polis this month signed Senate Bill 3 into law, drastically limiting the sale, transfer and acquisition of a wide swath of commonly owned semi-automatic firearms. Set to take effect on August 1, 2026, the law bans the sale and future transfer of many semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns defined by features like detachable magazines, threaded barrels, folding stocks or pistol grips—essentially criminalizing the configuration of some of the most popular firearms used for home defense, sport shooting and hunting. While existing owners may retain their firearms, they’re barred from passing them on to family members or selling them in-state, effectively setting the stage for a slow-motion confiscation through attrition. NRA was quick to slam the measure as “a direct attack on the constitutional rights of Coloradoans,” while the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) called it “unconstitutional,” warning that it punishes law-abiding gun owners while doing nothing to stop criminals. Despite the bill’s passage, critics argue it is both overly broad and legally vulnerable, with lawsuits already expected. The courts will undoubtedly have a say on the future of this ban, so despite Polis’s signature, the law is still far from a done deal. What plays out could serve as a cautionary tale for other states, particularly in places like Virginia, which still has an anti-gun majority in the state legislature and faces the potential election of an anti-gun governor in the form of Abigail Spanberger later this year to replace Gov. Glenn Youngkin, whose term expires in early 2026. It also serves as a stark reminder that even in the age of gun-friendly federal leadership, firearms owners must still be wary of state governments attacking their rights.