Why Gun Control Laws Keep Backfiring — and Colorado Might Be Next

What Happened?

Colorado lawmakers are pushing what's being hailed as the most sweeping gun control legislation in the state's history.

However, if history is any indicator, these laws might not reduce gun violence — they could actually drive more people to buy guns and also create a demand for black markets, effectively making law-abiding citizens more vulnerable.  

Other states have already tested similar restrictions, and the results suggest Colorado’s approach could backfire.

Why it Matters

In states like California, New York, and Illinois, restrictive gun laws were meant to curb firearm ownership and reduce crime. Instead, they led to an increase in legal gun purchases.

When California passed its strict assault weapons ban, firearm sales surged before the restrictions took effect. New York saw a similar spike when it implemented its SAFE Act, which imposed background checks on ammunition sales and restricted magazine capacity.

People who had never owned a gun before rushed to buy one, fearing they might lose their right to do so in the future.

Beyond legal sales, black markets often thrive in areas where guns are harder to get. Chicago, for example, has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, yet the city consistently sees high rates of illegal firearm possession.

Simply put, criminals don't follow gun laws — they buy weapons via illicit means through underground connections, which are often trafficked from neighboring states with more lenient gun laws.

The people most negatively affected by more stringent gun laws are the law-abiding citizens who suddenly find it much more difficult to buy guns to defend themselves.

The proposed law in Colorado would mandate background checks and firearm safety courses for all semiautomatic guns with detachable magazines. While it might seem like a common sense approach on paper, who does it really stop?

Law-abiding gun owners already go through background checks when they purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer. However, criminals sidestep legal sales entirely, regardless of how restrictive gun laws are in their state.

Should Colorado follow the same path as states like Illinois, where legal gun ownership has been severely restricted for years, residents will undoubtedly still find a way to arm themselves. Even if that means buying from private sellers who ignore the law or crossing state lines to make their purchases.

Another unintended consequence is the financial burden placed on responsible law-abiding gun owners. Mandatory training courses aren’t cheap, and in states where similar laws have been enacted, low-income residents — often those already in high-crime areas — struggle to meet the requirements.

This effectively disarms the very people who might need protection the most. Meanwhile, wealthier individuals who can afford the training and fees will still be able to purchase firearms, creating a two-tiered system of self-defense.

How it Affects You

If past trends hold, Colorado's new proposed gun laws won't keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. It’s highly unlikely the proposed laws will deter violence, much less stop mass shootings.

However, based on history it will drive far more people to buy guns while they still can, strengthen illegal markets, and make it far more difficult for everyday citizens to defend themselves.

Other states have tried this approach, and the results speak for themselves. Colorado may be next in line to prove that restrictive gun laws don’t work as intended.