Media Release Title Page

Sheriff Roybal’s Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 25-003

This week, members of the Colorado state legislature passed the most egregious and unconstitutional anti-Second Amendment bill in Colorado’s history.

The bill passed through the Senate on a 19-15 vote, with all Republicans and Democratic Senators Tony Exum, Marc Snyder, and Nick Hinrichsen voting against it.

Since its introduction in January, Senate Bill 25-003 has expanded from a semi-automatic weapon ban to include a deceptive “permit-to-purchase” system, which will saddle law-abiding Coloradans with unnecessary fees, bureaucratic hurdles, and state-mandated registration for those who want to exercise their constitutional rights.

El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal has outwardly opposed SB 25-003 since its introduction, expressing concerns about the bill’s constitutionality and its potential harm to small business owners and the safety of law-abiding citizens.

During his testimony, Sheriff Roybal expressed concern about the disregard shown by bill sponsors toward the testimony and input of public safety experts during shareholder meetings, as well as the additional costs to taxpayers resulting from fees and future litigation.

“Rather than focusing on legislation to hold criminals accountable and make Colorado a safer, more prosperous place for families and businesses, lawmakers spent their time passing legislation which will ultimately make Colorado less safe for everyone but the criminals,” said Sheriff Joe Roybal. “I hope Governor Polis will listen to public safety experts and veto SB 25-003 rather than cave to political pressure by signing the bill. However, if SB 25-003 becomes law, I am already making plans to ensure the constitutional rights of the citizens of El Paso County are safeguarded from our overzealous state government. My Office will communicate these plans to our citizens as soon as possible.

“Colorado is my home, and I am heartbroken to see yet another layer of unnecessary government control and bureaucracy added to its statutory landscape.”

The Colorado Senators who voted to pass Senate Bill 25-003 were:

Senator Judy Amabile
303-866-4872 judy.amabile.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Matt Ball
303-866-4861 matt.ball.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Jeff Bridges
303-866-4846 jeff.bridges.senate@coleg.gov
Senator James Coleman
303-866-4864 james.coleman.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Lisa Cutter
303-866-4859 lisa.cutter.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Jessie Danielson
303-866-4856 jessie.danielson.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Lindsey Daughtery
303-866-4840 lindsey.daugherty.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Julie Gonzales
303-866-4862 julie.gonzales.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Iman Jodeh
303-866-3432 iman.jodeh.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Cathy Kipp
303-866-4841 cathy.kipp.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Chris Kolker
303-866-4883 chris.kolker.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Janice Marchman
303-866-4853 janice.marchman.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet
303-866-4857 dafna.michaelson.jenet.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Kyle Mullica
303-866-4451 kyle.mullica.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Dylan Roberts
303-866-4871 dylan.roberts.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Robert Rodriguez
303-866-4852 robert.rodriguez.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Tom Sullivan
303-866-4873 tom.sullivan.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Katie Wallace
303-866-5291 katie.wallace.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Mike Weissman
303-866-4879 mike.weissman.senate@coleg.gov
Senator Faith Winter
303-866-4863 faith.winter.senate@coleg.gov

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(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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