Colorado’s Push for “Mandatory” Safety Training: A Misfire on Constitutional Rights

The recent passage of the New Colorado semiautomatic gun law requiring a safety training course has ignited yet another debate over the steady erosion of our Second Amendment rights. Legislated under the pretext of “public safety,” this latest gun control measure places unnecessary burdens on law-abiding gun owners and creates bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder responsible firearm ownership. At Fortress Firearms Training, we champion personal responsibility, firearms competency, and the right of every American to protect themselves without excessive government interference.

Unpacking the Mandates

This legislation makes it mandatory for anyone purchasing or transferring semiautomatic firearms to first complete a certified safety course. While training and education are pillars of responsible firearms ownership—something Fortress Firearms Training has emphasized since day one—the state imposing these requirements by law crosses the line from encouragement into regulation. Here are the essentials:

• The safety course must include both classroom instruction and live-fire training.
• Only courses approved by a government-certified instructor will be considered valid.
• Completion of the course becomes a prerequisite to any transaction involving semiautomatic firearms.

At face value, this may appear as a pro-safety initiative. But beneath the surface lies a more concerning trend: exploiting safety protocols as a backdoor to restrict gun rights.

Unintended Consequences of Overregulation

Colorado’s new law creates more barriers for legal gun owners and does little to stop criminals. Criminals do not attend safety courses. They do not submit paperwork, nor do they wait the required days to acquire a firearm legally. These regulations only impact those who follow the law. What’s more concerning, however, is the classist undertone of such a mandate. Additional training costs, range access, transportation, and time constraints place an undue burden on:

• Working-class families who cannot afford training fees or missed work days.
• Rural residents far from approved instructors or live-fire ranges.
• Senior citizens or disabled individuals who may be unable to complete live-fire requirements.

While Fortress Firearms Training proudly provides cost-effective, personalized instruction for all skill levels, we oppose legislation that shifts the burden of self-defense education from individual responsibility to state control. Americans should seek firearms training because they want to be responsible defenders of their homes—not because the government tells them to.

Weaponizing “Safety” for Political Gain

Let’s not kid ourselves about the goal behind the New Colorado semiautomatic gun law requiring a safety training course. It’s not about safety—it’s about control. Policies like these are crafted to create bureaucratic gridlock, dissuading citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights. The longer it takes and the harder it gets to legally purchase a firearm, the fewer people will feel empowered to do so.

By slowly choking off access to gun ownership under the banner of safety, these laws lay the groundwork for even more restrictive policies. And make no mistake, proponents of this measure view it as a stepping stone toward greater limitations, such as:

• Universal gun registration
• Magazine capacity limits
• State-approved only training programs with political bias

Training Should Be Voluntary, Not Mandated

Any responsible gun owner understands the value of firearms training. At Fortress Firearms Training, we’ve helped thousands of students become confident, competent, and safe gun owners. However, training is most effective when it’s pursued voluntarily, not when it’s crammed into legislation written by politicians who have never picked up a firearm.

This law sets a dangerous precedent: it takes a proactive individual choice and transforms it into a legal hurdle. The government should be supporting educational programs, not enforcing mandates. We believe in promoting firearm education through:

• Community-based outreach
• Second Amendment advocacy groups
• Voluntary certification programs provided by independent professionals

Tax-funded, mandatory training policies open the door for anti-gun bias to infiltrate instruction, pushing political narratives rather than teaching real-world self-defense tactics.

A Better Path Forward: Empower, Don’t Penalize

If safety is truly the concern, let’s focus on solutions that encourage growth and learning rather than punishing those who want to protect themselves. Fortress Firearms Training proposes alternative strategies that truly support the community:

• Offer tax incentives for voluntary firearm training courses
• Provide free safety courses as part of community outreach programs
• Integrate firearms education into high school curriculums as electives
• Protect access for rural and low-income gun owners through public-private partnerships

These initiatives emphasize self-reliance while encouraging safe practices—and they do so without violating the core tenets of the Constitution.

The Slippery Slope to Further Restriction

Make no mistake, the New Colorado semiautomatic gun law requiring a safety training course isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone. Once the state establishes a precedence for denying gun ownership based on training compliance, more laws will follow. We’ve already seen calls in other blue states for psychological evaluations, social media audits, and invasive household interviews before a person can own a firearm.

This law represents a broader movement to sidestep the U.S. Constitution through incremental policy. But Fortress Firearms Training and freedom-loving Americans must push back. We cannot allow our ability to self-protect to be filtered through red tape and political agendas.

Stand Up and Stay Trained

To all Colorado residents and American patriots across the nation, we encourage you to stay informed and prepared. Do not be disheartened by the mounting restrictions. Instead, reclaim power through knowledge and training on your own terms.

Let the government mandates be a reminder that freedom is not freely given—it must be defended. And as always, Fortress Firearms Training is here to help you develop real-world skills that go beyond paper certifications and state requirements.

The New Colorado semiautomatic gun law requiring a safety training course is just the beginning. Let your voice be louder than regulation. Train hard, train free, and never surrender your rights.

Remember, your Second Amendment rights didn’t come with a permission slip—and they shouldn’t require one now.