Colorado Gun Crimes and Laws – Denver Firearm Rights Lawyers
Colorado has a ton of gun laws regulating the possession and use of a Firearm. Even though the use of a gun is lawful for self defense and defense of property, police will still charge you with a crime. Police officers feel that arresting people advances their career, so they ignore laws permitting guns and firearms to be used in self-defense situations. Here is a list of key gun laws in Denver and across Colorado:
Unlawfully Providing or Permitting a Juvenile to Possess a Handgun, C.R.S. 18-12-108.7
This crime is charged when an adult provides a handgun to a person under 18 years old. It is a class 4 felony.
Prohibited Use of Weapons, C.R.S. 18-12-106, in Arapahoe County
This law makes it illegal to aim a firearm at another person, recklessly or negligently discharge a gun, set a trap gun, or have a gun in your possession when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is a class 2 misdemeanor in Aurora, Littleton and Centennial.
Unlawful Purchase of Firearms, C.R.S. 18-12-111
Here, it is a class 4 felony under Colorado law to buy or obtain a firearm on behalf of someone known to be ineligible to possess a gun. You are expected to know gun laws to some extent, and never get a gun for someone under 18, who has a felony, or who is under restraint due to a restraining order or protection order.
Private Firearms Transfers, C.R.S. 18-12-112 – Jefferson County, Colorado
This is the 2013 law which requires a background check before making a private sale of a firearm. The law is terribly impractical since sales must go through an FFL dealer. Violation is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Use of Stun Guns, C.R.S. 18-12-106.5
It is a felony to use a stun gun in the commission of a crime or criminal offense. This is a very broad provision, not defining what it means to “use” a stun gun.
Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon – Unlawful Possession of Weapons – school, college, or university grounds, C.R.S. 18-12-105.5 – Denver Law Violation
Generally, we are prohibited from bringing a gun onto school grounds. Concealed weapons laws mitigate the harshness of this law a little. Violation of this law is a class 6 felony.
Illegal Discharge of a Firearm in Lone Tree, C.R.S. 18-12-107.5
This class 5 felony occurs in Douglas County when a person knowingly or recklessly discharges a firearm into any dwelling or any other building or occupied structure. Designed to prosecute drive by shootings, this law is most commonly used to charge people when their firearm accidently goes off and the bullet travels through an adjoining wall in an apartment complex, condo or townhome.
Unlawfully Carrying a Concealed Weapon – Unlawful Possession of Weapons in Adams County, C.R.S. 18-12-105
Most often, we see this violation charged when someone has a concealed knife or firearm on their person. The law has a built in affirmative defense which exempts carrying in your own car, in your home, carrying in your business, or with a concealed weapons permit. It is a class 2 misdemeanor.
Possession of a Defaced Firearm, C.R.S. 18-12-103
This law makes it a crime to possess a gun which has the manufacturer’s serial number removed or defaced. It is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Possessing a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon, C.R.S. 18-12-102 – Boulder County
The definition of Dangerous Weapons includes a firearm silencer, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle, or ballistic knife. An Illegal Weapon is a blackjack, gas gun, metallic knuckles, gravity knife or switchblade knife. Possession of one of these items is a class 5 felony or class 1 misdemeanor.
Possession of a Weapon – Previous Offender, C.R.S. 18-12-108
This is one of the main laws charged when a felon possesses a firearm in Douglas or Jefferson County. It is a class 5 felony.
Possession of a Handgun by Juvenile, C.R.S. 18-12-108.5
Plain and simple, if you are under the age of 18, you can’t possess a handgun in Northglenn, Westminster or Thornton. Handguns are seen as more dangerous than a long-gun, like a shotgun or rifle. For a first offense, this is a class 2 misdemeanor.
When contacted by police or a sheriff deputy in Adams County or Yuma County, never make any statements – remain silent. Next, call our firearm rights attorneys at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Pong