Starting Monday, Colorado enforces new age limit for buying firearms.
Age Restriction on Gun Purchases in Colorado
A new age restriction on gun purchases in Colorado will become official on Monday. Starting August 7, only individuals who are 21 years old or older will be able to purchase firearms, firearm frames or receivers, or firearm silencers, as stated in SB 23-169, a law signed in April.
Consequences for Violation
Anyone found guilty of selling a gun to someone below the age requirement could be convicted of a class-2 misdemeanor. Previously, the age limit in the state was set at 18 years old, and it was considered a felony to sell firearms to juveniles.
Exceptions to the Law
Under the new law, there are exceptions for family members gifting guns to 18-year-olds, officers, and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Supporters and Opposition
State House Majority Leader Rep. Monica Duran, a Democratic representative, was one of the prime sponsors of the bill. On her website, she identifies herself as “a responsible gun owner” and expresses pride in supporting the legislation.
Attempts by Republicans to block the bill through late-night filibustering were unsuccessful. The legislation gained momentum following the Colorado Springs LGBT nightclub shooting last year, where the shooter, who legally purchased the guns himself, was 22 years old at the time.
Gun-Related Incidents in Colorado
According to the CDC’s most recent data, over 1,000 people in Colorado died from gun-related incidents in 2021. The majority of these deaths were suicides, accounting for three-quarters of all gun deaths. The largest group affected by firearm deaths were individuals between the ages of 25 and 44, as reported by Axios.
Age Restrictions in Other States
Currently, there are 23 states, including the District of Columbia, that allow 18-year-olds to purchase long guns. With the new law, Colorado joins California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont in raising the age limit to 21.
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