Colorado background checks soar as buyers rush before new assault-weapon law takes effect
Colorado's background-check filings jumped sharply in July 2026 as residents hurried to purchase AR-15-type rifles before a new assault-weapon restriction began on August 1.
In July 2026 Colorado experienced a sharp increase in firearm background checks, with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation processing 59,452 requests—nearly three times the 20,172 checks recorded in July 2025, representing a 195 % rise. The surge coincided with the approach of an August 1 deadline for a newly enacted assault-weapon law that targets AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles. Under the new statute, prospective buyers must undergo more extensive background screening and complete a fee-based training course before purchase.
Opponents argue the requirements impose significant financial and bureaucratic hurdles on law-abiding gun owners exercising their Second Amendment rights. Local news outlets highlighted the rapid uptick, underscoring how impending gun-control measures can prompt a buying rush.
Why it matters
The story shows how imminent gun-control rules can trigger a rapid surge in firearm purchases and background checks.
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