Gun Laws and Regulations
Gun laws in Colorado follow the ‘Shall Issue’ principle, which means the licenses aren’t for the non-residents. However, if a good cause is a reason for owning the same, permits are issued. The most obvious reasons include property in Colorado or instances of frequent travelling.
The local sheriff of the concerned country issues gun law permits in Colorado. However, the sheriff only issues the resident permits. In the case of non-residential licenses, all the permissions and licenses are granted by the Department of Public Safety. The best thing about the Colorado Gun Law is the fact that applicants trying to get a permit must demonstrate firearm handling competence.
For individuals looking for historical relevance, Colorado gun law changed to Shall Issue from May Issue, way back in 2003. Another aspect that needs attention is the permit renewal. Colorado laws state that the concerned individual must be at least 21 to get the permit renewed. Most importantly, handgun competence needs to be established beforehand. The person must be a resident of Colorado and shouldn’t have been accused of any criminal activity under any circumstance. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Concealed Gun Carry Law in Colorado
Individuals must take certain aspects into account before understanding the concealed gun carry laws in Colorado. In case of travelling in a private vehicle, no permits are needed, and residents are free to carry the same. However, in the case of public vehicles, permits are necessary.
Colorado concealed laws do not include notifying the law enforcement officers regarding the possession of a handgun. Carrying the permit at all times, however, is a good option.
In Colorado, open gun carry is legal. However, for carrying a firearm in public transport, permits are necessary. Moreover, one must always be on the lookout for law changes as state governments do prefer making certain ramifications at specific points in time.
Colorado doesn’t enforce No Weapons symbols and signs unless the area is off-limits. Residents and even outsiders are asked not to enter premises that have these signs installed.
Another aspect of concealed carry is carrying guns to the restaurants. Colorado laws allow firearms to be taken in restaurants that serve alcohol. That said, lawyers, however, advise against this practice as possessing a dangerous firearm while being in an inebriated state isn’t a good option.
Carrying guns in the state park is also allowed, under every possible situation. Last but not least, Colorado doesn’t support constitutional carry, regardless of the existing status.
The Truth about Reciprocity
Based on the existing gun carry laws, states perpetuating the feeling of gun reciprocity must honor the laws of Colorado first. Only then would the Colorado state honor their permits. At present, there are 34 states honoring the Colorado state gun laws, including the likes of Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and more.
Moreover, Colorado honors the gun permits of around 33 states, including North Carolina, Wyoming, and more. However, there are around 16 states that do not accept the existing Colorado CCW permit.
Places that are off-Limits
The shall-issue gun law hierarchy enlists certain areas and places that are off-limits when gun carrying is concerned. These include high schools, junior highs, secured sections of the airports, snowmobiles, and places that fall under the restricted zone as per the federal law, public buildings with fixed security checkpoints, and even elementary schools.
What Places are allowed?
Certain regions in Colorado support open and concealed gun carry, including the private vehicles without permits, public vehicles with licenses, rest areas, national forests, state parks, schools, only if the firearm is locked inside the building. Moreover, it can be generalized that all the regions except the ones that are off-limits are allowed.
Gun Laws FAQs
- How long does it take to get a gun permit in Colorado?
In Colorado, new gun-carrying permits take about 90 days.
- Who Issues CCW Permits?
For residents, the county sheriff issues concealed permits whereas, for outsiders, the same is being issued by the Department of Public Safety.
- Are background checks mandatory?
All the gun sales, concerning private guns, need to go through background checks, to establish licensed dealer validity.
- Can I qualify as a Colorado Resident?
As gun laws are a lot less strict for Colorado residents, every person might look for an opportunity to use this aspect to his or her advantage. However, for qualifying as a Colorado resident, he or she must set up a permanent property in this state or reveal himself or herself as the member of the existing Colorado military base.
- What is the exact gun-buying age?
In Colorado, the minimum gun-buying age is 21 years for a handgun and at least 18 years for a long gun, provided the same is purchased from licensed dealers.
- Can background checks be exempted?
Under no circumstance can the NCIS checks be exempted, even if the concerned individual has a CCW gun-carrying permit.
- What if the address is changed?
In case the address for official communication is changed, the individual needs to notify the sheriff within a period of 30 days.
- How to deal with Lost Permits?
If the gun-carrying permit is stolen or lost, the individual gets a three-day timeline to report the same to the sheriff, to get the investigation started, the right way. Failure to report the theft or lost permit qualifies as the class 1 offense.
- Can a permit holder carry a firearm inside the school premise?
No, as it is a felony to carry a firearm within the school premises despite the CCW permit.
- How to conduct in case of the No Display sign?
Nothing changes in case of the No Display sign as individuals can still carry guns in the concealed form without displaying the same.
- Can loaded guns be kept inside vehicles?
Yes, but long guns need to be unloaded, without or without a gun-carrying permit.