SB13-196: Assault Weapon Responsibility Act

• Defines "assault weapons" as any firearm except handguns, shotguns, and bolt-action rifles, and establishes strict liability for persons who discharge them for resulting injuries and damages.

• Creates liability for owners and possessors of assault weapons if negligent in storage or allowing third-party possession, with affirmative defenses available for surrender to law enforcement or licensed dealers, or if weapon was stolen from secure storage.

• Imposes liability on sellers and transferors of assault weapons sold or transferred on or after September 1, 2013 for negligent entrustment or knowing violations of state or federal law.

• Requires sellers, distributors, and manufacturers to exercise highest degree of care and obtain reasonable grounds to believe weapons will not be used dangerously or unlawfully; failure to do so constitutes a knowing violation of law.

• Repeals prior Colorado law (Part 5 of Article 21, Title 13) that prohibited civil actions against firearms and ammunition manufacturers, and creates limited liability exceptions for peace officers, military, and government entities.