State of Colorado
Current News
May 2, 2019 - Colorado Incident Prompts Questions About Out-Of-State Gun Sales
A Florida teen arrived at Denver International Airport last month and then purchased a shotgun at a gun store in the suburb of Littleton. What followed was a massive, frantic manhunt and the closure of schools all over northern Colorado. Questions about the legality of that gun purchase persist.
18-year-old Sol Pais had made credible threats and was infatuated with the Columbine High School shooting, according to the FBI. On April 15th, however, she passed a criminal background check and was able to buy a gun. Two days later , law enforcement reported finding her dead, near Mount Evans, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In Colorado, the minimum age to buy a long gun is 18 and there is no waiting period. But the young woman was from Florida.
Under federal law, a purchase by an out-of-state buyer must comply with state law in the state where the sale is happening as well as the state the buyer is from. In Florida, the age to buy any gun is 21. The law revising age restrictions, passed last year after the Parkland school shooting.
State Requirements
CCW Handgun License
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Demonstrates competence with a handgun.
Is a legal resident of Colorado.
Has not been convicted of perjury.
Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages.
Is not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
Is not subject to a protection order.
Federal Law Requirements.
Vehicle Carry
YES WITHOUT A PERMIT
If you can lawfully possess a handgun you can carry it in a private vehicle loaded or unloaded, no permit required. Long guns must be unloaded while in a vehicle.
Public Transport
Without a permit - you cannot carry on public transport such as a bus.
With a permit - if you have a valid permit then you are legally entitled to carry a firearm on public transport.
Open Carry
YES & NO WITH or WITHOUT A PERMIT
Open carry is legal with a few exceptions. Without a permit you cannot carry on public transport.
Also local governments can have regulations preventing open carry in certain buildings or areas. Denver has enacted such regulations banning open carry in the city, this was confirmed as legal in a court case.
Must Notify Officer
NO MUST INFORM OFFICER
Colorado concealed carry laws have no legal requirement for a person to tell law enforcement they are carrying a firearm. The law does state that you must carry your permit, together with valid photo identification, at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun and shall produce both documents upon demand by a law enforcement officer.
Check your State
Legislation varies from State to State, so it is best to always check the State Laws pertaining to handguns before traveling to or through that particular State.
Click the link below to familiarize yourself with the basic legislation for each State in regards to Vehicle Carry, Open Carry, and Requirement to Inform Officers.
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