Signatures gathered against Colorado gun barrels bill

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(The Center Square) – A group that advocates for Colorado gun owners is collecting petition signatures in opposition to a bill that would regulate gun barrels in the state.

Senate Bill 26-043 was scheduled to be heard Monday in the Colorado House for its third and final reading, but the legislation was never advanced. The bill would require gun barrels to be purchased in-person at a firearm dealer.

The legislation has been laid over since March 20 for its third and final reading vote. Once it’s passed on its third reading by the House, the Senate will need to approve amendments to SB 26-043 before it heads to Gov. Jared Polis' desk to become law.

The Colorado State Shooting Association’s petition opposing the legislation says, in part, that SB 26-043 would “further infringe on Coloradans' Constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment freedoms.”

SB 26-043, which passed the Democratic-controlled Senate last month in a 19 to 16 vote, would also require firearm dealers in the state to retain all sales records of barrels for five years.

Democratic sponsors of the legislation have argued the bill, when paired with a proposed ban on 3D printed firearm components, would help get unserialized ghost guns “out of our communities” and make it easier for law enforcement to track guns used in crimes.

CSSA previously told The Center Square that SB 26-043 is “a ridiculous bill” that “doesn’t do anything to stop gun violence.”

Gun barrels are a common component replaced for maintenance or performance purposes.

Colorado Democrats have passed several other firearm bills this session, including a ban on 3D-printed firearms and an expansion of the state’s “Red Flag” law.