HB25-1133: How Democrats Accidentally Proved the Second Amendment Right via a Bipartisan Amendment

The Colorado General Assembly passed HB25-1133, a bill that would ban the sale of ammunition to anyone under 21 years old. As a staunch defender of constitutional rights and a representative of the people, I find it deeply troubling - not just because it's unconstitutional, but because a bipartisan amendment was added to the bill that exposes a fundamental truth that cannot be ignored.

In a rare bipartisan effort, the Majority Leader, Representative Monica Duran (D-HD23), and the Minority Leader, Representative Rose Pugliese (R-HD14), introduced Amendment L.037. This amendment carves out an exemption for individuals under 21 who are identified as "protected persons" in a protection order. 

In other words, if a young adult has a protection order against someone who may do them harm, they become the exceptions allowed to purchase ammunition for self-defense.

This amendment, while intended as a compromise, actually highlights the very principle the Second Amendment was written to uphold: the right to self-defense. If we, as lawmakers, can recognize that a person under 21 has the right to defend themselves when facing a credible threat, why are we stripping that same right away from every other law-abiding young adult?

The logic here is inescapable.

The authors of HB25-1133, by agreeing to this amendment, are tacitly admitting that self-defense with a firearm is a legitimate and necessary right. It acknowledges that when someone faces danger, the ability to protect oneself should not be subject to arbitrary age restrictions. If this right is valid for someone under a protection order, it is just as valid for any young adult who wishes to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense.

Moreover, this bill is not just an infringement upon rights; it's bad policy.

There is no evidence that restricting ammunition sales to adults aged 18 to 20 reduces crime. In fact, the data shows that violent crime has risen in Colorado since stricter gun control measures were implemented over the past decade. Criminals, by definition, do not follow the law. They will not be deterred by this bill. The only people impacted are law-abiding citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional rights.

The Second Amendment was never about hunting or sport shooting. It is also about ensuring that individuals can protect themselves, their families, and their freedoms. HB25-1133 infringes upon that right, while this final amendment offered by the Democrats proves why the right exists in the first place. If self-defense is a valid reason for one group to retain access to ammunition, it is a valid reason for all law-abiding citizens.

Let’s not allow emotion and political posturing to erode the rights that protect us all. I urge my colleagues and constituents to see this bill for what it truly is - an unconstitutional infringement and an ineffective solution to the challenges we face. We need to focus on holding criminals accountable, not disarming responsible citizens and stifling their access to self-defense.