Colorado House Democrats on Friday gave preliminary approval to a pair of firearms bills from the state Senate, including legislation that would prohibit lawmakers from bringing guns into the Capitol.

Senate Bill 131, which seeks to ban guns in “sensitive spaces,” initially prohibited firearms in 19 locations. The bill was amended by its sponsors to limit those locations to just a handful, including polling places, child care, schools, public college and university campuses, and local government offices and courthouses.

The bill was drafted against the backdrop of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions on guns.

In a 6-3 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the court in 2022 ruled that the ability to carry a pistol in public is a constitutional right guaranteed by both the Fourteenth and Second Amendments.

While the ruling pertained specifically to concealed weapons, it has been more broadly interpreted to apply to gun regulations nationwide. It also led to legislative proposals prohibiting guns in “sensitive” places.

Notably, New York, California, New Jersey and Hawaii have all approved legislation banning firearms in “sensitive places” in the wake of Bruen. These new laws have been largely upheld in the face of court challenges.

House Republicans pointed out during Friday’s debate that the state cannot bar lawmakers from bringing guns into the Capitol, due to language in the state Constitution, and such a policy is unenforceable.

Prior to the debate, House Majority Leader Monica Duran announced time-limit caps on debate of an hour each on SB 131 and on Senate Bill 3, which allows the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct investigations on firearms crimes.

The bill, as introduced, limited those investigations to “straw” purchases of firearms — when someone buys a gun for someone else who is prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

As amended, the investigations can also look at “ghost guns” and illegal components or accessories.

Significantly, SB 3 was amended to swap out a safety clause, which would allow the bill to immediately become law with the governor’s signature.

The amendment — from Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton — changed it to a petition clause, which would allow citizens to challenge the law through the initiative process and get the question on the November ballot. 

Both bills will be up for a final vote in the House on Monday and if adopted, would go back to the Senate for review of amendments.