HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250949.tiffResolution
Expression of Opposition to Colorado Senate Bill 2025-3
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
Whereas, Colorado Senate Bill 2025-3 (" SB-3") passed by the Colorado legislature on
March 28, 2025, in part, prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring,
selling, or purchasing a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable
magazine or a gas operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine
("specified semiautomatic firearms") with limited exceptions and only upon an individual
completing onerous, lengthy, and costly background checks and safety courses, and
Whereas, pursuant to SB-3, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or
purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm is a class 2 misdemeanor, and a second
or subsequent offense is a class 6 felony, and
Whereas, also pursuant to SB-3, a dealer who unlawfully manufactures, distributes,
transfers, sells, or purchases a specified semiautomatic firearm shall have their license
revoked by the department of revenue, and
Whereas, SB-3 is an unfunded mandate that requires county sheriffs to complete
fingerprinting and conduct background checks on applicants to determine if they meet the
criteria to receive a firearms course card without any additional funding or resources, and
Whereas, it is estimated that SB-3 will cost the state $1.4 million in the first year of
implementation and $500,000 annually to maintain, expenses that the state cannot bear
given the state's budget shortfall, and
Whereas, SB-3 will harm gun store owners, rendering it illegal for gun store owners to
sell large portions of their merchandise, potentially driving gun businesses to close or
move out of the state, and
Whereas, SB-3 requires law-abiding citizens to jump through unnecessary hoops and
pay significant fees in order to exercise their Second Amendment rights, and
Whereas, SB-3 is one of the most restrictive gun licensing systems in the United States
that will be a burden to county sheriffs, gun store owners, and law-abiding Coloradoans
that must be vetoed, and
Whereas, the Board of Weld County Commissioners opposes Senate Bill 2025-3 and
implores Governor Polis to veto this legislation that will infringe on Coloradoan's Second
Amendment rights, jeopardize citizens' rights to self-defense, damage the economy and
livelihoods of gun store owners and employees, and burden county sheriffs.
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2025-0949
BC0059
Expression of Opposition to Colorado Senate Bill 2025-3
Page 2
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, that the Board hereby expresses its opposition to Senate Bill 2025-3 and urges
Governor Polis to veto said legislation.
The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above
and foregoing Resolution, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following vote on
the 7th day of April, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye
Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye
Jason S. Maxey: Aye
Lynette Peppier: Aye
Kevin D. Ross: Aye
Approved as to Form:
Bruce Barker, County Attorney
Attest:
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-0949
BC0059
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