Polis signs SB25-003 into law after months of protest and 95,000 petitions

By / / Top Stories, Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice

In the end, Governor Jared Polis didn’t make a speech. He didn’t stand before cameras or take questions. He didn’t even put the signing on his public calendar.

On April 9, behind closed doors and without public ceremony, Polis signed Senate Bill 25-003 into law—legislation that critics say is one of the most restrictive gun ownership laws in the country. The signing came after months of resistance from Colorado citizens, lawmakers and small business owners who warned the bill was not only unconstitutional, but economically and socially devastating.

Here’s how it happened.

January: early warnings

SB25-003 was introduced on January 8, the first day of this legislative session. Lawmakers and residents immediately began sounding the alarm. 

C.J. Garbo, in a Rocky Mountain Voice (RMV) column, pointed out how increased gun restrictions in Colorado going back to 2010, have done little to curb criminal violence. Garbo shared that in Denver alone, firearm-related homicides increased by 77% between 2015 and 2021, despite the implementation of multiple gun control measures.

Rep. Brandi Bradley was even more direct.

“I think we’re gonna see harsh legislation against the Second Amendment,” Bradley said. “We’ll see if Polis is going to sign this assault weapons ban—3.0 is what we’re calling it,” She added, “From what I’ve seen, it would ban 80 to 90 percent of guns, anything with a detachable magazine, even hunting rifles. It is truly one of the worst gun bills I’ve seen. ”

February: delays and revolt

By early February, the bill had stalled. After being laid over multiple times, cracks began to form in the Democratic majority. One of the biggest came from within.

Democrat Senate Minority Whip Nick Hinrichsen was a holdout. RMV reported that he fully supported a ban on rapid-fire trigger devices, stating, “If all but this provision is removed from the bill through amendments, I will vote to pass the bill. However, as the bill is currently introduced, I am a ‘no’ vote.”

RMV documented repeated delays. At one point, the bill appeared to be on life support.

“Support for the bill appeared to have collapsed again Friday before a second reading and preliminary vote, as it was laid over until Feb. 13,” when RMV reported that Hinrichson’s opposition might have been a death knell for the bill.  

Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer blasted the bill’s double standard, noting that it included an exemption for Hollywood filmmakers to use the same guns that would be banned for Coloradans.

“You want to pass a bill that bans these weapons, but hey, go use them in a film,” she said. 

March: rallies, petitions, passage

As the bill moved to the House, opposition ramped up. Gun owners rallied at the Capitol on March 11, calling the bill government overreach. 

Rep. Chris Richardson warned the bill was far more than a ban.

“What started as an extreme gun ban is now a government-controlled gun owner registry disguised as a licensing scheme. Expensive fees, mandatory training, fingerprinting and renewal every 5 years — just to exercise your constitutional right.” 

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners posted bluntly, “This is our Alamo!” 

Lawmakers warned of the economic fallout.

“We will be chasing businesses out of Colorado. We will be chasing people out of Colorado to purchase firearms and other devices,” Rep. Ryan Armagost said during the 12-hour House committee hearing 

Legal scholars weighed in, too. RMV contributor Ryan Anderson outlined how the bill violates the Bruen standard set by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Because there is no historical equivalent to these restrictions, the law would likely be deemed unconstitutional,” Anderson wrote.  

April: the petitions and the signing no one saw

On April 3, nearly 95,000 petitions were delivered to the Capitol, demanding that Governor Polis veto the bill. A letter accompanying the petitions, signed by multiple lawmakers – including U.S. Reps. Jeff Crank, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd and Gabe Evans warned the bill would “empower criminals at the expense of law-abiding citizens.” 

In an RMV commentary imploring Governor Polis to veto the bill just days later, Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel wrote:

“In our system of government, individual rights are not permissions granted by the state. They are inherent — God-given — government’s role is to protect them, not ration them out when convenient.” 

But the governor said nothing. In the early afternoon of April 9, Coloradans were taking to Twitter/X over rumors that Governor Polis intended to sign the bill into law later in the day. 

On April 9, he signed the bill behind locked doors. No cameras. No press. No public statement. 

Republican lawmakers who had advocated for Coloradans’ Second Amendment rights for months – didn’t hold back.