Gun groups prepared to battle in court over gun rights in Colorado

Colorado gun rights advocates are asking a federal court to temporarily block enforcement of a new law regulating the purchase of certain firearms.

Senate Bill 3 took full effect August first. It requires people seeking to buy certain rifles, shotguns and gas-operated pistols to complete in-person training and undergo a background check before they can receive an eligibility card.

The Colorado State Shooting Association filed a request for a preliminary injunction Monday as part of a lawsuit challenging the law on Second Amendment grounds.

The group argues the requirements are costly, difficult to administer, and could prevent many Coloradans from purchasing covered firearms.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell says complying with the law could cost his office nearly six hundred thousand dollars. He says that would require new employees and technology, and his office would need to charge about 400 dollars per application to cover the cost.

Mikesell says his office is currently not accepting applications because of the cost and what he calls significant ambiguity in the law.

The lawsuit also argues required training isn't readily available in every county and says the state database doesn't list trainers everywhere.

The advocacy group says the law creates unconstitutional barriers to exercising Second Amendment rights.

Representatives for Attorney General Phil Weiser and Governor Jared Polis declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.