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Governor Jared Polis Under Fire for Tightening Gun Laws and Expanding Colorado’s Sanctuary State Status

By Khadija Khan | FNF News | June 2, 2025

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is once again at the center of national controversy following the signing of a series of sweeping legislative measures that critics say severely restrict Second Amendment rights while reinforcing Colorado’s status as a sanctuary state. The moves have drawn praise from progressive circles, but sharp condemnation from conservatives, law enforcement unions, and Second Amendment advocates, many of whom argue the governor is prioritizing ideology over public safety.

Polis Signs “Historic” Gun Control Bill

On April 10, 2025, Polis signed SB25-003 — widely referred to by critics as the “Jared Polis Gun Ban” — into law. The bill bans certain semiautomatic firearms and prohibits devices that increase the rate of fire, including bump stocks and binary triggers. It also requires permits and mandatory safety training for new purchases of high-capacity weapons.

While Democrats in the state legislature hailed the law as a landmark achievement in gun violence prevention, conservatives argue it criminalizes lawful gun ownership and punishes law-abiding citizens rather than addressing root causes of violence.

“This law doesn’t stop criminals. It disarms responsible citizens and weakens the constitutional right to self-defense,” said Rep. Mike Lynch (R-Wellington). “Governor Polis laughed as he signed away freedoms protected by the Second Amendment.”

Law enforcement officials have expressed concern over the law’s implementation, especially given the sharp rise in violent crime in Denver and Aurora. Some sheriffs have openly stated they will not enforce the law, echoing sentiments from the 2013 magazine ban, which many rural counties also refused to implement.

Sanctuary State Measures Expanded

Simultaneously, Governor Polis signed legislation reinforcing Colorado’s sanctuary status, effectively barring local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in most circumstances. The move came just weeks after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) criticized Colorado for releasing multiple violent offenders under sanctuary protocols.

The new measure prohibits state and local jails from notifying ICE about detainee release times, and bans cooperation unless ICE presents a judicial warrant — a standard that ICE does not typically meet, as it primarily uses administrative detainers.

Sheriff Steven Reams of Weld County called the policy “reckless,” warning that it invites dangerous consequences. “We’re turning our backs on federal partners and allowing repeat offenders to vanish into communities,” Reams told FNF News. “Public safety is not a partisan game.”

Polis Defends His Record Amidst Growing Backlash

Governor Polis has defended both actions as “moral imperatives,” arguing that Colorado must lead the way in protecting vulnerable populations and reducing gun deaths.

“We cannot wait for Washington to act,” Polis said in a statement. “These reforms are long overdue. They save lives, and they send a message: Colorado will not be intimidated by fearmongering.”

However, critics see it differently.

“What we’re witnessing is the erosion of personal liberty under the guise of safety,” said Laura Carno, a Second Amendment advocate based in Colorado Springs. “These gun laws don’t stop Molotov cocktails or illegal firearms. They just make it harder for everyday citizens to defend themselves.”

Political Fallout and National Implications

Polis’s moves come at a time when national Democrats are attempting to craft a broader narrative around gun reform and immigration protection heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Some speculate that the Colorado governor is angling for a future role in federal politics, possibly eyeing a cabinet position or a Senate run.

But Polis’s record could also become a rallying cry for conservative voters in Colorado and across the Mountain West. Republicans have already announced plans to file lawsuits challenging SB25-003 on constitutional grounds.

Meanwhile, rural counties across the state — particularly in the Western Slope and Eastern Plains — are exploring “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolutions of their own, pledging to resist enforcement of the new gun laws.

Conclusion

Governor Jared Polis has made it clear that he is willing to use state power to advance progressive policies on guns and immigration — even if it means alienating large swaths of Colorado’s more conservative population. But with violent crime still rising in Denver and confidence in state leadership waning among law enforcement officials, the governor’s bold agenda is likely to face serious resistance in the months ahead.

As Polis forges ahead, Colorado remains sharply divided — and at the heart of the nation’s ongoing debate over rights, security, and the limits of government authority.

Tags: Jared Polis, Colorado Gun Laws, SB25-003, Sanctuary State, Second Amendment, Immigration Policy, Crime in Colorado, FNF News