(Getty Images)
Starting from August 7, the state of Colorado will prohibit the sale of all
types of firearms to individuals younger than 21 years old.
While federal legislation already bars individuals under the age of 21 from
purchasing handguns, this new state law extends the prohibition to all
firearms within Colorado.
The Provisions of Colorado's New Gun Law
Under the new legislation, anyone below 21 years of age who purchases a
firearm may face penalties including a one-year jail term or a fine of
$1,000. Additionally, anyone found selling or transferring a firearm to
someone under the age of 21 could be sentenced to up to 18 months in jail or
fined $5,000.
The law does not apply uniformly to everyone; there are certain exemptions.
Specifically, three categories of people are exempt from the age
restriction.
Active-duty military members and peace officers are two groups exempted from
the minimum age requirement for purchasing firearms. Those who have received
certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training board are also
allowed to buy firearms regardless of age.
Lawsuit Against Over-21 Gun Law
A
federal lawsuit was lodged
against Governor Polis and the state in April challenging the
constitutionality of the new law. Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, the group
behind the lawsuit, alleges that the law infringes upon the Second
Amendment's right to bear arms. This group has also contested the law
stipulating a minimum waiting period.
Additional Gun Legislation in Colorado
The age limit is among five gun-related bills enacted during the 2023
legislative session.
One of these laws, which
broadened the red flag law
in the state, became effective in April after Governor Jared Polis endorsed
it. Another bill introduced a
compulsory three-day waiting period
prior to delivering a firearm to a purchaser; this law will be enacted in
October.
A new law making it
simpler for victims of gun violence to initiate legal action against
firearm manufacturers
will also take effect in October. Lastly,
a law prohibiting "ghost guns," or firearms that lack serial numbers, will be implemented in January 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment