Gun control measure in Colorado could ban popular standard shotgun

It's the most popular weapon used by hunters in Colorado, but if Democrats in that state have their way, the standard shotgun could be banned under one of the gun control measures working its way through the state Capitol, CBS Denver reported Friday.

According to CBS, the standard pump or semi-automatic shotgun is the weapon most Colorado hunters use.

But Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, says that shotguns could be banned under a bill that has already passed the House.

“They’re coming after the standard shotgun,” he told CBS Denver.

The problem is a bill banning high-capacity magazines.

According to Brophy, the bill defines a high-capacity magazine as one that can accept, or be converted to accept more than eight shotgun shells.

Brophy demonstrated how the standard shotgun can be easily converted to hold more than eight shells.

“You can screw this part off the top and screw on an extender to this tube to allow it to hold more than eight rounds. It is readily convertible, which by definition in the bill, makes the whole thing a high-capacity magazine," he explained to CBS' Shaun Boyd.

Brophy doubted that any manufacturer would make shotguns specifically for Colorado hunters if the bill passes.

“We just might not be able to legally purchase a pump shotgun or a semi-automatic shotgun,” he said.

Under the measure being pushed by Democrats, those who own the weapons as of July 1 may keep them as long as they maintain continuous possession of the weapons.

"If it breaks, you can’t give to a gunsmith even to fix it. You can’t hand it to your son to use. It’s all now outlawed because of this 1224, the bill that Gov. Hickenlooper says he’s going to sign," Brophy said, calling the measure the "most extreme thing anybody’s ever done related to firearms.”

Senate Democrats say they will introduce an amendment dealing with the issue on Monday.

"What that amendment looks like and whether it passes remains to be seen," CBS said.

Since the tragic Newtown school shootings, Democrats across the country have introduced measures to restrict the right to keep and bear arms. Some measures, like those proposed in Missouri, Oregon and Minnesota, call for confiscation of so-called "assault weapons."

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