A radical plan in Colorado to ban most semi-auto firearms and create a permit-to-purchase requirement for gun buyers is quickly moving through the legislative process. And at a recent committee hearing on the measure, one Colorado sheriff spoke out pointedly against the proposal.

The measure, Senate Bill 25-003, would ban “specified semiautomatic firearms,” which are defined in the bill as “…a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.”

Last month, the bill was amended to grant an exemption for the purchase of banned firearm platforms through a “permit-to-purchase” scheme. Coloradans who complete the Hunters Safety course or possess a concealed carry permit would be required to take four hours of firearms education, and individuals who possess neither would require 12 hours of education to apply for the purchase permit. 

El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal doesn’t think much of the scheme, and earlier this week testified in the House Judiciary Committee, saying the measure “will not make Coloradans safer.”

“By banning the purchasing, selling and manufacturing of semi-automatic firearms used by thousands of law-abiding citizens for home and personal safety, this legislation not only jeopardizes the fundamental right to self-defense but also infringes on inherent constitutional rights, setting a dangerous legal precedent for the future of the Second Amendment in Colorado,” Sheriff Roybal testified. “Proponents of the bill claim it will help curb gun violence; however, SB 25-003 will have the opposite effect. This bill effectively targets law-abiding gun owners rather than criminals, who, by definition, do not follow the law and will obtain a firearm through illegal channels.”

During his time before the committee, Sheriff Roybal also took issue with the so-called “exemption” that actually creates even more Second Amendment problems.

“This legislation also creates an additional background screening process, which is already required when purchasing a firearm,” the sheriff testified. “Of even more significant concern, this legislation calls for the building and maintaining of a state-required registry for Colorado gun owners (which violates Colorado statute). The only logical reason I can think of for a state-sanctioned gun registry is to have the ability to confiscate firearms in the future.”

Lastly, the sheriff argued that because of the unconstitutional nature of the measure, a long, drawn-out and expensive court fight will likely result if the measure is passed.

“Undoubtedly, Senate Bill 25-003 will tie up courts for years in litigation and cost Colorado taxpayers hundreds of thousands in unnecessary legal fees,” he concluded. “As Sheriff, public safety is the primary focus of every decision I make. Senate Bill 25-003 is unconstitutional and will not increase public safety and will only erode the rights of law-abiding Coloradans. I urge members of this committee to oppose Senate Bill 003 in the interest of public safety and the preservation of our Constitution.”

It remains to be seen whether Sheriff Roybal’s testimony will change any minds. The committee is expected to vote on the measure sometime soon.