SB25-003, the $27 million paywall on the Second Amendment

By / / Top Stories, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice

It started at 8:00 a.m. By the time the clock neared 10:00 p.m., Colorado House Democrats had passed a bill critics say is the most economically discriminating gun control law in state history.

SB25-003 cleared second reading on March 21, advancing despite fierce Republican resistance. Over the course of over 12 hours, GOP lawmakers argued that the bill sets up a pay-to-play structure that burdens working-class Coloradans, rural sheriffs and law-abiding gun owners with costs, bureaucracy and uncertainty.

“Senate Bill three has passed second reading. It’s unfortunate for Coloradans, but you need to know the Colorado House Republicans put up a valiant fight for your Second Amendment rights,” Rep. Ty Winter said.

“The Republican caucus put up a stellar debate performance,” Ian Escalante of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners said late Thursday. “We aren’t giving up—we’re going to fight this till the very end.”

From fingerprinting to in-person training to new state-run registries, critics say the bill creates a financial labyrinth for those trying to legally purchase a semi-automatic firearm.

“A Coloradoan who wants to purchase a semi-automatic firearm will be required to pay hundreds of dollars in government-imposed fees just for the privilege of exercising a constitutional right,” Rep. Weinberg warned.

He called the bill “not just a policy problem—it is a financial boondoggle.”

Weinberg wasn’t the only one raising alarms.

“Let’s be honest about what this is—it’s a poll tax on the Second Amendment,” Rep. Lisa Frizell said. “We are creating a system where only the wealthy will be able to afford to exercise their constitutional right. That is unjust, that is discriminatory and that is absolutely unacceptable.”

Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, who serves on the Finance Committee, warned that county sheriffs will be expected to carry out new mandates without funding.

“Counties do not have the luxury of being other wealthy counties like we do here across the state,” he said. “This policy seems to be pay-to-play.”

Weinberg echoed that concern, noting: “We are dumping new responsibilities on sheriffs while leaving them to figure out how to fund the work.”

Rep. Lori Garcia Sander slammed the bill for sidelining instructors and sheriffs with rigid mandates.

“A military veteran does not need the same instruction as someone who has never held a firearm before,” she said. “This is about flexibility, practicality and trusting the experts.”

“Instead of allowing sheriffs to approve competent instructors the bill bogs the process down with unnecessary red tape.”

Rep. Hartsook pointed to the bill’s fiscal note as proof that it’s not just unconstitutional—it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Beyond individual cost, Rep. Hartsook argued that the bill uses unreliable funding sources and opens the door to gutting taxpayer refunds.

“We’re going to throw a whole bunch of new requirements on OIT and expect them to just handle it—meanwhile, we can’t provide services and other things that are out there.” Rep. Hartsook added, “This is a waste of taxpayer money. We need to stop this bill.”

“We are at a $1.2 billion budget deficit and we’re inserting continuous appropriation language into our budget?” House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese said.

The bill would cost $1.4 million to launch and $500,000 a year to maintain, but lawmakers warned it could also cost the state up to $27 million in lost federal wildlife funds.

“We’re trying to fund things out of empty coffers,” added Rep. Richardson.

Responsible gun owners, not criminals, will end up footing the bill. “This bill places the cost of enforcement on the people it regulates,” Weinberg said.

The bill moves to third reading next. Escalante and others say they’re now focusing on flipping five Democrats in swing districts.

“If your Democrat rep is in Pueblo, Thornton, or Northline—you need to call them now,” Escalante said. “Let them know that if they vote for this, you’ll do everything in your power to get them unelected.”