DENVER- Today, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Governor Polis will join legislative leaders, advocates, and community members to celebrate progress in reducing gun violence in Colorado and the historic laws passed this year to help make Colorado one of the ten safest states. Governor Polis will also sign a new law to crack down on dangerous ghost guns and sign a proclamation recognizing the importance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
"Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe in their homes, schools, and communities without fear of gun violence. I am proud of the achievements reached this year to improve gun safety and reduce crime, but the work is not done. In order to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states, we must continue to come together to build on these public safety accomplishments,” said Governor Polis. “As we recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day today, I am grateful to all the legislative leaders, advocates, and survivors who have raised their voices, shared their stories, and called for data-driven, common-sense policies that honor our Second Amendment rights and reduce gun violence."
Today, Gov. Polis will sign SB23-279, Unserialized Firearms and Firearm Components, sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, Senator Chris Hansen, Representative Andrew Boesenecker, and Representative Junie Joseph. This law will take action to combat gun violence by cracking down on unserialized firearms, or ghost guns, which are untraceable and increasingly being used to carry out violent crimes. SB23-279 criminalizes the possession, transport, sale, and manufacturing of ghost guns and establishes a process for anyone who owns a ghost gun to legally register the firearm.
Earlier this spring, Governor Polis, in partnership with the legislature, signed other historic gun safety laws to prevent gun violence, including:
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SB23-170 sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, Senator Steve Fenberg, Representative Jennifer Bacon, and Representative Mike Weissman, expands who is able to petition for an extreme risk protection order to include licensed medical & mental health care providers, educators, and district attorneys. Prior to this action, only law enforcement agencies and household members were able to petition for an extreme risk protection order.
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HB23-1219 sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, Representative Judy Amabile, Senator Tom Sullivan, and Senator Chirs Hansen, creates a mandatory three-day waiting period between the purchase of a new firearm and the possession of the firearm.
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SB23-168 sponsored by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, Senator Chris Kolker, Representative Javier Mabrey, and Representative Jennifer Parenti, allows victims of gun violence to sue the gun industry by removing immunities previously granted to gun manufacturers.
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SB23-169 sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, Senator Jessie Danielson, Representative Monica Duran, and Representative Eliza Hamrick, increases the minimum age to buy and possess a gun in Colorado to 21 years old.
Following today's signing of SB23-279, Governor Polis and legislative partners will have passed five landmark laws this year to improve gun safety and deliver real results to keep Coloradans safe.
Additionally, since taking office, Governor Polis has worked to implement strategies to prevent crimes before they occur and invest in resources that improve public safety by reducing criminal justice involvement. This includes expanding access to mental health services, creating programs to support at-risk youths and families, and investing in behavioral health care for all Coloradans. Under Governor Polis, the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) was established to provide accessible and comprehensive behavioral health care and ensure that high-quality resources are available when a person needs them most.