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DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist that would raise the minimum age to purchase ammunition for rifle and shotgun ammunition to 21 years old and require ammunition to be stored behind the counter like nicotine, cold medicine, and other commonly misused or harmful products. HB25-1133 passed by a vote of 7-6.
“Gun violence is both tragic and preventable, and as a victim of gun violence and intimidation in my youth, I know this bill can help save lives and make our communities safer,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats have worked hard to protect Colorado communities from gun violence, including recently raising the age to purchase a firearm to 21 years old. With this bill, we’re making Colorado gun laws straightforward - you must be at least 21 to purchase any type of firearm or ammunition. By increasing the age to purchase firearm ammunition and putting ammunition behind the counter, we can better protect our kids from gun violence and improve public safety.”
“Firearms are the leading cause of death for 18-20 year olds, and the increase in firearm suicides should be alarming to everyone,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “As a mother to young kids, I worry that their school could be the next site of a mass tragedy. Gun violence is all too common in Colorado, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why I’m sponsoring this bill to help reduce youth firearm suicides by raising the minimum age to purchase ammunition and adding protections, saving countless Colorado lives.”
Under current law, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase any firearm but only 18 years old to purchase ammunition. HB25-1133 would raise the minimum age to purchase rifle or shotgun ammunition to 21 years old. Sellers would be required to verify that the buyer is at least 21 years old using a valid government-issued photo identification. The bill also requires sellers to display ammunition in a position where an employee must assist the buyer, like in an enclosed display case or behind a counter, to help prevent theft. Any person delivering ammunition would be required to verify that the person receiving the delivery is at least 21 years old and obtain written proof of receipt of the delivery from the recipient.
A violation of this bill would be a civil infraction, but subsequent violations would classify as a class 1 misdemeanor. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased by a staggering 41 percent in the last decade.
Majority Leader Duran passed a law in 2023 to raise the minimum age to purchase a long gun firearm to 21, which was already the minimum age to purchase a handgun. She also passed a safe storage law that promotes responsible gun ownership by requiring gun owners to properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present.