Colorado Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes* |
*Permit to Carry Concealed. Colorado only honors permits or licenses from residents of the states that it honors. Must be 21 years of age or older to carry on a recognized permit or license in Colorado. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | No Law |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | Shall Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | True Reciprocity |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Concealed Handgun Permit Unit: |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Antiques and Replicas
State law is silent on this matter. They are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying purposes. |
Carrying
It is unlawful to carry a firearm concealed on or about one's person without a permit, except for a person in his or her own dwelling, place of business, or on property owned or controlled by him or her. MORE |
Machine Guns
A machine gun is defined as any firearm that shoots automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. It is unlawful to possess a machine gun, but it is an affirmative defense to a charge of possession if the person accused was a peace officer or member of the armed forces acting in the lawful discharge of his or her duties, or that the person has a valid permit and license for possession of a machine gun. |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. MORE |
Possession
On and after July 1, 2013, it will be unlawful to possess, sell or transfer a "large capacity magazine." The definition of a "large capacity magazine" includes those magazines or any devices that are fixed, or detachable and can hold more than 15 rounds or be readily converted to hold more than fifteen rounds. The prohibition on possession of a "large capacity magazine" does not apply to a person who owned the magazine on July 1, 2013 and who maintains "continuous possession" of the magazine. MORE |
Preemption
No local governing entity shall prohibit travel with a weapon for hunting or lawful protection of a person or property. MORE |
Purchase
Colorado Bureau of Investigation charges a fee to cover the actual costs of operating the background check system. Licensed dealers are authorized to charge a fee of $10 for facilitating a private transfer. There is no state permit required for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Range Protection
Shooting ranges are protected against a civil action or criminal penalty alleging noise if the range is operating as it normally would. MORE |
SOURCES: Col.Rev.Stat. 12-26-101 et seq.,12-26.1-101 et seq., 12-27-101; 18-1-704 et seq., 13-21-504 and 13-21-504.5, 18- 9-106, 18-12-101 et seq., 18-12-201 et. seq., 24-20-201 et seq., 24-23.5-424, 30-10-523, 33-6-125, 33-14-117. |
Saturday, December 1, 1984
Suspecting a burglar in his Denver, Colo., home, Paul Borne investigated with a .38 cal. pistol in hand. ...
Saturday, September 1, 1984
Awakened by an alarm connected from his home to his Evergreen, Colo., camera shop, Klaus Neuschaefer rushed to ...
Wednesday, August 1, 1984
Fountain, Colo., grocer Shirley Melton was working in a back room when a man carrying a long-bladed knife ...
Friday, June 1, 1984
Eric Wyatt was looking over the books in his father's Colorado Springs, Colo., liquor store when he heard ...
Friday, June 1, 1984
Todd Olson, 21, was in his Colorado Springs, Colo., home with his two roommates when three armed men ...
Wednesday, June 1, 1983
Sherri Valdez was returning from work late at night when a man jumped her in front of her ...
Monday, November 1, 1982
Klaus Degler was bound along with his wife and a customer by a duo of armed thieves who ...
Wednesday, September 1, 1982
Dan Heffron had already handed over a bag of narcotics to an armed robber, but the youthful criminal ...
Thursday, July 1, 1982
A would-be intruder tried to bash down the back door of Norman Holmes' Colorado Springs, Colo., home. Disregarding ...
Friday, January 1, 1982
K.G. Lane and Martin Higdon were elk hunting near Westcliffe, Colo., when one of their horses spooked. The ...