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Yes.

People who are vetted by a sheriff’s office and meet certain gun safety course requirements would be able to legally purchase semiautomatic weapons that would otherwise be banned under Senate Bill 3. 

The exemption was added in a Feb. 14 amendment to the proposed ban by its Democratic sponsors, aimed at securing its passage.

The carveout would apply to people who have completed a Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunter education course and, within five years before purchase, a basic firearms safety course, or those who have completed an extended firearms safety course within five years before purchase. 

The basic safety course must be at least four hours long and the extended course at least 12. The classes would be held in-person rather than virtually, and taught by instructors verified by a sheriff’s office. 

To enroll, Coloradans would need a valid firearms safety course eligibility card, which requires a criminal record check. 

See full source list below.

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References:

Colorado Senate Bill 25-003, revised, State of Colorado, archived Feb. 22, 2025.

Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices, Colorado General Assembly, archived Feb. 21, 2025.

Colorado Senate gives preliminary OK to ban on sale, manufacture of certain semiautomatic guns after adding major carveout, ֱ, Feb. 14, 2025. Source link.

Type of Story: Fact-Check

Checks a specific statement or set of statements asserted as fact.

Por recently graduated from CU Boulder with a master’s degree in journalism and is interested in writing about the environment and exploring local stories. When not working on some form of writing, Por is either looking for Thai food or petting...