But gun-rights advocates who sued the state to overturn the laws called the ruling only the first round and said they planned to appeal.
In a 50-page decision, U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger said both laws don’t infringe on individuals’ right to bear arms. The judge further said that limiting magazine sizes doesn’t obstruct individuals’ ability to protect themselves, and that the expansion of background checks to include firearms sold online and between private parties “is no more severe” than the requirements already in place for commercial sales before the new law.
Gun rights advocates and county sheriffs filed the lawsuit to overturn the laws, which Democrats passed last year without Republican support.
Opponents of the laws criticized them as unenforceable. Krieger dismissed that argument, saying it didn’t apply to whether the laws were unconstitutional.
“A court does not act as a super-legislature to determine the wisdom or workability of the legislation,” Krieger said. “Instead, it determines only whether legislation is constitutionally permissible. A law may be constitutional, but nevertheless foolish, ineffective, or cumbersome to enforce.”
Colorado lawmakers passed the restrictions in reaction to the shooting rampage at a suburban Denver movie theater, where 12 people were killed and dozens more were wounded, and the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
The gun control debate was one of the most emotionally charged of the 2013 legislative session, with lengthy debates and national attention. Vice President Joe Biden called Colorado Democrats and urged them to approve the legislation.
Two Democratic state senators who voted for the laws were recalled from office. A third Democratic lawmaker resigned while a recall effort was ongoing.
