Colorado Lawmakers Advance Gun Control Bills Targeting 3-D Printing, Barrel Sales

The measures, backed exclusively by Democrats, aim to restrict access to ghost guns and unregistered firearms.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 2:31pm

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Colorado lawmakers have moved closer to banning 3-D printed firearms and more tightly regulating the sale of gun barrels. The House voted 40-25 to pass a bill prohibiting the manufacturing of 3-D printed firearms and gun components, while the Senate voted 19-16 to advance a bill requiring firearm barrels to be sold or transferred only by a federally licensed firearm dealer. Both bills are expected to clear their next votes and move to the governor.

Why it matters

These bills are part of a broader effort by Colorado Democrats to crack down on ghost guns and unregistered firearms, which have become an increasing concern for law enforcement. The 3-D printing bill, in particular, aims to address the unique public safety risks posed by easily accessible, untraceable firearms.

The details

The 3-D printing bill, HB 1144, would prohibit the manufacturing of 3-D printed firearms and gun components, including large-capacity magazines, rapid-fire devices and unfinished frames or receivers. It also bans the selling or distribution of instruction manuals that could be used to produce the devices. The Senate bill, SB 43, would require that firearm barrels be sold or transferred only by a federally licensed firearm dealer, with records of each sale kept for five years.

  • On March 2, 2026, the Colorado House voted 40-25 to pass HB 1144.
  • Also on March 2, 2026, the Colorado Senate voted 19-16 to advance SB 43.

The players

Jared Polis

The governor of Colorado who is expected to sign the gun control bills into law.

Andy Boeseneker

A Democratic state representative from Fort Collins who is sponsoring the 3-D printing bill, HB 1144.

Lindsay Gilchrist

A Democratic state representative who is co-sponsoring the 3-D printing bill, HB 1144.

Tom Sullivan

A Democratic state senator who is sponsoring the barrel sales bill, SB 43, and whose son was killed in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting.

Lynda Zamora Wilson

A Republican state senator who lives at the Air Force Academy and opposed the barrel sales bill, SB 43, characterizing it as an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

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What they’re saying

“The ability to access a 3-D printed firearm and commit an act that nine times out of 10 is fatal is unique, and (is) something we can speak to. This bill seeks to do that.”

— Andy Boeseneker, State Representative

“This is not an attempt to put anyone out of business or register anything so that at a later date someone will come to confiscate those items. Times are changing … (and) the ghost gun has become a new problem for law enforcement.”

— Tom Sullivan, State Senator

“Here we have a piece of legislation that masquerades as a public safety measure but in reality strikes at the very heart of our constitutional liberties.”

— Lynda Zamora Wilson, State Senator

What’s next

The bills will now switch to the opposite chamber and restart the process, but are likely to clear their next several votes and move to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

The takeaway

Colorado's Democratic-controlled legislature is pushing forward with a series of gun control measures, including bills targeting 3-D printed firearms and unregistered ghost guns, reflecting a broader trend of increased gun regulation in the state as the party has solidified its majorities.