Garfield County leadership is condemning Senate Bill 3, the measure that restricts the legal manufacture, transfer, sale, distribution, and purchase of certain semiautomatic weapons. The bill defines these as quote “ a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.”
The bill was signed by Governor Polis on April 10th. On Monday, April 14th, the Garfield County Commissioners passed a resolution criticizing what they refer to as barriers Coloradans will have to face to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.
Commissioners Tom Jankovsky, Perry Will, and Mike Samson said they found the legislation to be an overreach of state authority and a restriction on personal freedoms. One other major concern was the economic impact this bill could have. Commissioner Will specifically mentioned small business gun shops going out of business, and the money target-shooting enthusiasts bring to the Western Slope.
According to Colorado Public Radio, Senate Bill 3 is one of the strictest pieces of firearm legislation in the state. The AR-15, the AK-47 and many popular offshoots will no longer be manufactured in Colorado, and their sales will be restricted.
Coloradans cannot possess, sell, or purchase rapid-fire weapons, but those who receive a “firearms safety course eligibility card’ will have the ability to purchase guns banned under Senate Bill 3. The process includes a background check and a vetting by the individual's county sheriff. Senate Bill 3 goes into effect on August 1st of 2026.
