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DENVER, CO - The House today passed gun violence prevention legislation 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, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, passed by a vote of 38-27.
“As a survivor of domestic violence and gun intimidation, I am proud that our bill to reduce gun violence and save lives has passed the House,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This bill increases the age to purchase long gun ammunition and strengthens display requirements, helping reduce theft and keeping ammunition out of the wrong hands. Our legislation is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to protect our communities from senseless gun violence and improve public safety.”
“It takes a single bullet to take a life, which is why we’re passing this bill to bring down ammunition theft and raise the age of purchase so we can prevent senseless firearm deaths,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “From suicide to accidental firings, too many lives have been tragically taken from their loved ones. As a mother to young kids, I know that our communities will be safer by making it just a little harder for 18-21-year-old youth to acquire ammo that could be used in a violent crime.”
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 with limited exceptions. 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.
The bill exempts an active member or veteran of the US military or Colorado National Guard as well as Coloradans with a valid hunter education certificate or an expired or unexpired hunting license. Coloradans between 18 and 21 years old would be allowed to purchase ammunition at a shooting range if they use it on-site. It would also exempt Coloradans under 21 years old if they were born on or before January 28, 2007.
Unlawful sale of ammunition would be a civil infraction, while 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.