When Senate Bill 25‑003 took effect on August 1, 2026, Colorado introduced a statewide requirement that anyone purchasing a semi‑automatic rifle, shotgun or handgun must first complete a firearms‑safety class and obtain a training certificate issued through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The law, promoted by Sen. Tim Sullivan (D‑Centennial) as a measure to curb mass shootings, has quickly drawn opposition from law‑enforcement officials and gun‑rights groups.
Local sheriffs push back
Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin announced four days before the law’s start date that his office would not participate in issuing the required training certificates. In a written statement, Nowlin said he “swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state of Colorado” and could not support a requirement he believes infringes on constitutional gun rights.
Custer County Sheriff Lloyd Smith issued a similar declaration on August 11, posting Colorado’s Constitution, Article II, Section 13, which guarantees the right to bear arms. While Smith said his office would comply with the law’s administrative aspects, he emphasized that he “did not take an oath to help the state erode those rights one requirement, one fee, and one bureaucratic hurdle at a time.” Smith also signed a declaration, under penalty of perjury, describing the law’s negative impact on his community and agreeing to support a federal civil‑rights lawsuit filed by the Colorado State Shooting Association.
NRA joins the legal challenge
The National Rifle Association has aligned with the sheriffs and filed a lawsuit against Governor Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen. The complaint, lodged in U.S. District Court, argues that SB 25‑003 violates the Second Amendment and seeks a permanent injunction to stop enforcement of the training requirement.
Among the plaintiffs is Israel Del Toro, a Colorado veteran who served in Afghanistan and later re‑enlisted despite severe injuries. Del Toro relies on firearm accessories such as force‑reset triggers, which the new law classifies as “dangerous weapons” and makes possession a class‑five felony. He and other gun owners contend that the law unfairly restricts lawful self‑defense and hunting activities.
Industry and advocacy response
Second Amendment Foundation and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners have publicly opposed the bill on constitutional grounds. Colorado’s largest gun store and range operator, DCF Guns, pledged $400,000 to fund legal challenges and announced reduced rates for its own safety classes, which the law now mandates for certain purchasers.
Colorado Ceasefire, a statewide grassroots organization that lobbies for gun‑violence prevention, was a primary sponsor of SB 25‑003 and also backed SB 26‑004, which expands Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The group declined to comment on potential unintended consequences for gun owners with physical disabilities.
Implementation challenges
Colorado Parks and Wildlife was tasked with providing counties the resources needed to process training certificates before the August deadline. Some sheriffs have chosen to enforce the law despite disagreement, while others, like Montezuma County, have opted out entirely, creating a patchwork of compliance across the state.
Lawyers for the state have declined to comment on the litigation, stating they will present their arguments in court filings. The outcome of the federal case could determine whether the training requirement remains in force or is struck down as unconstitutional.
What this means for Colorado gun owners
Until a court decision is reached, buyers of semi‑automatic firearms in counties that continue to enforce the law must complete the state‑approved safety class and obtain a certificate before completing a purchase or transfer. In counties where sheriffs have refused participation, the certification process may be delayed or unavailable, potentially affecting lawful transactions.
The debate highlights a broader tension in Colorado between public‑safety initiatives and constitutional gun rights, a conflict that is likely to play out in courts and at the ballot box in the coming months.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
