Addressing Juvenile Gun Access in Colorado 

In 2024, the Colorado legislature passed eight new gun safety bills.[i] These include the requirement for state permits for firearm dealers, mandatory training for concealed carry permits, and bans on carrying firearms in sensitive locations like schools and polling places. However, these laws focus predominantly on the responsibilities and conduct of adult gun owners, which, admittedly, is a logical emphasis given that adults constitute the primary demographic for firearm purchases. According to a 2021 National Firearms Survey, between January 1, 2019, and April 26, 2021, an estimated 7.5 million individuals became new gun owners, potentially giving more children lethal access to these guns.[ii]  

Juvenile gun violence has been a critical issue in Colorado for decades, dating back to the tragic Columbine shootings in 1999. More recent incidents– such as the 2021 shooting at Hinkley High School by three 16-year-olds,[iii] the 2023 shooting of two school administrators by a 17-year-old Denver High School student,[iv] and the August 2024 shootings perpetrated by four 15- and 16-year-olds who engaged Aurora police officers in a shootout–[v] underscore  the issue of juveniles access to firearms, and potential for lethal misuse. Commenting with CBS News on the August 2024 incident, the Aurora Police Department Division Chief, Mark Hildebrand, noted that the incidence of teenagers getting their hands on guns and using them to commit violent crimes has been happening more often.[vi] 

According to 2023 Census estimates, 21% of Colorado’s populationvii, are children under 18. Recent CDC data shows that guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado.  An average of 84 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 48% are suicides and 47% are homicides.[viii] These statistics underscore the critical need for focused efforts to address juvenile access to firearms.  

Colorado has laws that specifically address juvenile gun possession—prohibiting both the possession of handguns by juveniles [ix] and the provision of handguns to juveniles.[x] Nevertheless, these laws focus primarily on “handguns,” overlooking the risks associated with other types of firearms that juveniles could access, such as the 12-gauge shotguns and semiautomatic firearms utilized by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold in the 1999 Columbine shootings.[xi] 

The Colorado legislature has made significant progress in enhancing public safety through laws that regulate the possession, sale, and use of firearms. However, the unique challenges associated with juvenile access to firearms require the collaborative efforts of the legal community, educators, law enforcement, and the legislature to establish policies that focus on prevention, education, and proactive intervention.  

One practical approach is the establishment of a statewide task force that identifies and addresses gaps in how juveniles gain access to firearms. This task force could explore unconventional methods by which juveniles may obtain firearms, such as straw purchasing, (guns purchased via a proxy buyer), evaluate their impact on juvenile gun access, and make recommendations to the state. Another approach could be the creation of a dedicated fund to support community-based programs aimed at educating Colorado’s youth on the dangers of firearms. This strategy prioritizes prevention and education and could potentially contribute to lowering gun violence among youth. 

Further, Colorado state could implement a program designed to monitor juveniles with a documented history of violent behavior or mental health concerns. By leveraging existing data systems or creating new ones, this program would identify households where such juveniles reside and where a firearm has been purchased. Once identified, the program would notify law enforcement and other relevant agencies, enabling them to conduct a risk assessment and take appropriate preventive measures. 

While there is no single solution that may fully curb the issue of juvenile gun possession in Colorado, combining existing laws with the implementation of one or more recommendations could be an effective strategy for reducing gun violence among Colorado juveniles. 

Editor’s Note: 

The State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers prevention approach resources on their website with a Resource Bank for community members to locate valuable sources for secure firearm storage solutions, safety counseling, community violence intervention, and more.  

The Office of Suicide Prevention works to prevent suicide for Colorado’s youth and young adults through upstream prevention, prevention, intervention, and postvention. If you need immediate help, please call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255 to reach Colorado Crisis Services, and you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor 24/7/365. https://coloradocrisisservices.org/ 

ENDNOTES

[i] Jesse Paul, “The 8 gun bills passed by Colorado’s legislature this year and signed into law by the governor,” The Colorado Sun, June 12, 2024, https://coloradosun.com/2024/06/12/new-colorado-gun-laws-2024/

[ii] Matthew Miller, MD, MPH, ScD, et al, “Firearm Purchasing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the 2021 National Firearms Survey,” National Library of Medicine, December 21, 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8697522/

[iii] Jeremy Harlan, “Three 16-year-olds face attempted murder charges after a shooting in the parking lot of a Colorado high school,” CNN US, November 22, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/20/us/colorado-high-school-shooting-attempted-murder-charge/index.html

[iv] Chantal Da Silva, et al, “Teen suspect in Denver school shooting found dead in nearby county, authorities say,” NBC News, March 23, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/2-administrators-shot-denver-high-school-student-run-rcna76148

[v] Id.

[vi]  Kelly Werthman, “Violent crime at “crisis levels” in Colorado as prosecutors see youth crime skyrocket, CBS Colorado,” CBS News, August 21, 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/violent-crime-crisis-levels-colorado-prosecutors-youth-crime-skyrocket/

[vii] Quick Facts Colorado, United States Census, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/CO/AGE295223

[viii] Everytown For Gun Safety, “Colorado Makes Monumental Progress In Gun Violence Prevention During The 2024 Legislative Session; Here’s What You Need To Know:,” May 10, 2024, https://www.everytown.org/press/colorado-makes-monumental-progress-in-gun-violence-prevention-during-the-2024-legislative-session-heres-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=In%20an%20average%20year%2C%20951%20people%20die%20and,which%2048%25%20are%20suicides%20and%2047%25%20are%20homicides

[ix] Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108.5(1)(a)

[x] Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108.7(1)(a)

[xi] See State of Colorado, “The Report of Governor Bill Owens’ Columbine Review Commission,” https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/Columbine%20-%20Governor%27s%20Commission%20Report.pdf at p. 26, footnote 64.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mayowa Gbenro is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mayowa brings a global perspective to his legal career. He earned his Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in International Business Transactions from the University of Denver, where he received the Robert Roche Scholarship.

His dual qualification positions him uniquely in the legal field, allowing him to bridge multiple legal systems and cultures. His practice areas encompass cross-border transactional law and employment litigation. He is also an ardent reader and prolific writer, with particular interest in U.S. gun laws and policies.