Colorado has recently enacted a new gun control law, SB23-169, which prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, with a few exceptions.
The bill, signed by Democratic Governor Jared Polis, will go into effect on Monday.
The legislation has sparked controversy and legal challenges, with some arguing that it infringes upon the rights of young adults. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a second amendment advocacy group, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Polis and the state of Colorado, seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to block the law on the grounds of unconstitutionality.
"People under the age of 21 are no longer going to have the right to defend themselves with firearms," expressed Kevin Day, a store manager at DCF Guns in Castle Rock, Colorado. "The best thing we can do is continue to educate the public."
Critics of the law argue that if individuals are old enough to participate in elections and potentially serve in the military, they should also be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
"You can be drafted into the military. You can go and die for your country, but you can't own a gun. That's just wrong," stated Taylor Rhodes, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, in an interview with Fox 21.
Paul Paradis, owner of Paradise Sales in Colorado Springs, echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the erosion of constitutional rights. "That's what's happening to our constitutional rights. They're just slowly eroding from different entities in our society."
Supporters of the legislation argue that it is necessary to enhance public safety and address issues such as youth suicide and domestic violence.
"This isn't trying to infringe on anybody's rights... What it comes down to is saving lives. We know that youth suicide has increased," explained Democrat Majority House Leader Monica Duran in an interview with Fox News.
Under the new law, it will be a class two misdemeanor for individuals under 21 to purchase firearms, and those who sell guns to individuals under 21 will face charges of a class one misdemeanor.
The constitutionality of the law remains a subject of debate, and its fate will ultimately be determined by the courts. Paul Paradis expressed his belief that the law will be deemed unconstitutional, stating, "We're going to have to wait and see what the court is going to say on the constitutionality of this. I really believe that this Court is going to find it unconstitutional."
Colorado joins several other states that have implemented similar legislation to restrict firearm purchases for individuals under 21. In June 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a firearms law with similar provisions, while then-Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott signed comparable legislation in March 2018.
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