COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA) has filed a federal lawsuit against top Colorado officials over a new state gun law.
The following are named in the lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday:
- Governor Jared Polis
- Attorney General Phil Weiser
- Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen
CSSA members say they find the new law goes against the constitutional rights of Coloradans to purchase firearms, specifically semi-automatic rifles.
The organization also said the law puts money constraints on gun buyers.
"A lot of people already have to save up for months to purchase a firearm to secure their own self-defense," said Huey Laugesen with CSSA. "Now, they're gonna have to save up for months more. They might not even be able to do it with... this new expense that comes before you can even purchase a firearm."
The organization is asking the court to declare the law unconstitutional before the part that bans the following of some semi-automatic firearms goes into effect in August 2026:
- manufacture
- distribution
- transfer
- sale
- purchase
On Wednesday, the 4th Judicial District Attorney, Michael Allen, responded to the lawsuit, saying that including his name in the lawsuit is "misguided, ineffective, and tantamount to speculative lawfare."
His full statement can be found below:
"This week, a lawsuit was filed by multiple plaintiffs in response to Colorado Senate Bill 25-003, which was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in April of this year. It is set to go into full effect on August 1, 2026. The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit against several entities, including myself, in my role as District Attorney of the 4th Judicial District. While I applaud their efforts to challenge what I and many others believe to be an unconstitutional overreach by state government, including me in their lawsuit is misguided, ineffective, and tantamount to speculative lawfare. Because this lawsuit targets me in my official capacity as District Attorney, the El Paso County Attorney’s Office will vigorously defend me and this office."
"By design, SB25-003 creates burdensome obstacles to lawful gun ownership, and its effects will be felt mostly by low-income and rural Coloradans."
"I have consistently worked to safeguard all of our constitutionally protected rights, and the Second Amendment is no exception. Unfortunately, in Colorado, the Second Amendment has been under continuous attack by our legislature. SB25-003 punishes lawful gun owners - and it is only the most recent example of the state’s egregious efforts to disarm citizens. While proponents of the bill argue it will protect Coloradans against criminal activity, it is truly an unconstitutional infringement on our right to self-preservation. Criminals do not abide by the law, and it is folly to believe they will care about the provisions of SB25-003."
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