Gun laws in Colorado
Gun laws in Colorado regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Colorado in the United States.[1][2]
Contents |
Summary table [edit]
| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant Statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Permit to Purchase? | No | No | ||
| Firearm registration? | No | No | ||
| "Assault weapon" law? | No | No | No except in the City and County of Denver | |
| Magazine Capacity Restriction? | Yes | Yes | After July 1, 2013, magazines holding more than 15 rounds may not be sold or transferred within the state. | |
| Owner license required? | No | No | ||
| Concealed Carry permits issued? | Yes | Yes | CRS 18-12 | Colorado is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. |
| Open carry? | Yes | Yes | CRS 18-12 | Legal without permit requirements except in the City and County of Denver. |
| Concealed within a vehicle? | Yes | Yes | CRS 18-12, 33-6-125 | Without a round chambered (applies to rifles/shotguns, not pistols). |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | CRS 18-12 | Open carry and open car carry of a loaded firearm is prohibited in city and county of Denver, otherwise, local ordinances are preempted by state law. |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | ||
| Peaceable Journey laws? | Yes | Yes | CRS 18-12-105.6 | Denver's restrictions on transport/possession of firearms in vehicles do not apply to persons traveling to or from other jurisdictions; see Trinen v. City & County of Denver, 53 P.3d 754 |
| Castle Doctrine? | Yes | Yes | A legal resident of a property has the right to use deadly force to defend themselves, other occupants, and property from armed or unarmed intruders. | |
| Stand Your Ground Law? | Yes | Yes | A person does not have to attempt to retreat from any place where they have a legal right to be before they may defend themselves or others with deadly force. |
Concealed and open carry [edit]
Colorado is a "shall-issue" state for concealed carry. Permits are issued by the county sheriff,[3] and are valid for five years. Applicants must demonstrate competence with a handgun, either by passing a training class or by other means.[4]
Open carry, as well as possession of a handgun in an automobile, is generally permitted without a license. However, local governments may prohibit open carry, and the city of Denver has done so.[5] When a rifle or shotgun is transported in a vehicle, there may not be a round in the chamber.[6]
Other laws [edit]
Colorado has state preemption for firearm laws. However, due to a court ruling, Denver can regulate open carry in the city limits. The ruling only applies to Denver as the court decision did not rule on any other areas outside of what ordinances were covered by Denver.
Effective July 1, 2013, Colorado will require background checks for all firearm sales. Magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds, cannot be sold or transferred.[7]
Gun control lawsuit [edit]
A lawsuit over the legality of the magazine ban and background check laws has been filed by 54 of the 62 elected county Sheriffs and 21 sporting and outdoor groups and Colorado companies. The suit alleges that the laws violate the Second and Fourteenth amendments, and state that the laws would be impossible to enforce. [8][9][10][11]
References [edit]
- ^ "State Gun Laws: Colorado", National Rifle Association – Institute for Legislative Action. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- ^ "Colorado State Law Summary", Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- ^ "Colorado Gun Laws", Colorado State Patrol. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Information", USA Carry. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Colorado", OpenCarry.org. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Guns in Vehicles in Colorado", Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ Bartels, Lynn and Lee, Kurtis (March 21, 2013). "Three New Gun Bills on the Books in Colorado Despite Its Wild West Image", Denver Post. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/18/colorado-sheriffs-sue-over-new-state-gun-restrictions/
- ^ http://www.i2i.org/files/file/54-sheriffs-complaint.pdf
- ^ http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/17/18323842-majority-of-colorado-sheriffs-file-suit-against-new-gun-laws?lite
- ^ http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_23271508/colorado-sheriffs-file-federal-lawsuit-challenging-gun-bills
