30-Rnd magazine no-go in Denver?

[Ronin13]

So I was hanging with some friends the other day, talking about guns and how Denver doesn't allow open carry (lame Dems)... well one of my friends said that any high capacity magazine (more specifically he said my AR's 30 mags- I always have 210 basic combat load of 7 30rnd magazines) in Denver limits is illegal and I would be arrested if caught. Is this true? I usually keep my AR in the trunk of my car for just such an occasion as a wild hair and I wanna swing by a range. So hypothetically if I'm driving, and I never consent to searches, but if stopped and forced into being searched by DPD and they uncover an AR with 7 30rnd mags will I go to jail?

[mutt]

As I understand it possession of 'high cap' mags is illegal for Denver residents. If you are caught with them, and you live in Denver/Denver County, you are going to jail. For everyone else just transporting is ok but of course Denver has a way of screwing you. They will confiscate your weapons and mags and you will have to hire a lawyer and go to court to prove your case. Expensive. I've heard that the Denver DA will spare you this hassle if you just give up your weapons...

Just stay clear of Denver/Denver County when you have your toys with you. I know, not always possible. Going to my favorite range requires I drive through Denver County unless I want to take a really long detour.

[Ronin13]

As I understand it possession of 'high cap' mags is illegal for Denver residents. If you are caught with them, and you live in Denver/Denver County, you are going to jail. For everyone else just transporting is ok but of course Denver has a way of screwing you. They will confiscate your weapons and mags and you will have to hire a lawyer and go to court to prove your case. Expensive. I've heard that the Denver DA will spare you this hassle if you just give up your weapons...

Just stay clear of Denver/Denver County when you have your toys with you. I know, not always possible. Going to my favorite range requires I drive through Denver County unless I want to take a really long detour.

Thanks for that Mutt... that's why I keep it in the trunk and I DO NOT CONSENT to any searches of my vehicle without a warrant or probable cause. I think that's total BS. I know this is a bit over the top, but I would have no problems telling a DPD officer: You can have my guns, when you pry them from my cold dead hands.
2nd Amendment, and I know my rights. I don't care what some city ordinance is, if it's violating my rights I defer to higher judgement. We should work on getting this changed, it's not right for me to give over a $3300 weapon system and then have to throw more money at the issue or just outright hand it over. F*** Denver. Some great city it used to be, now not so sure.

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks for that Mutt... that's why I keep it in the trunk and I DO NOT CONSENT to any searches of my vehicle without a warrant or probable cause. I think that's total BS. I know this is a bit over the top, but I would have no problems telling a DPD officer: You can have my guns, when you pry them from my cold dead hands.
2nd Amendment, and I know my rights. I don't care what some city ordinance is, if it's violating my rights I defer to higher judgement. We should work on getting this changed, it's not right for me to give over a $3300 weapon system and then have to throw more money at the issue or just outright hand it over. F*** Denver. Some great city it used to be, now not so sure.

You do not tell them anything or volunteer info. other than lic, registration and ins card you keep quite. It's ok to be friendly towards an LE as you should. However NEVER give any info out other than what is asked of you. "Do you have a firearm? I have a permit issued to me and carry as deemed necessary officer", I see you are carrying X firearm. That usually shuts them down as you have now moved the conversation away from you to them. Unless you have an outstanding or just did a stick up you have nothing to worry about.
As long as you are not a resident of denver cty / city who gives a shit what you have while cruising through the fine boundaries of Denver.
I have been stopped a few times by LE in denver out side of paperwork regarding the traffic stop they don't ask me anything.

[Wulf202]

Driving through denver is exempted from the laws it's only for people residing in denver.

Denver allows open carry if you already have a CCW....

[spleify]

Driving through denver is exempted from the laws it's only for people residing in denver.

Denver allows open carry if you already have a CCW....

Very cool, if this information is accurate it is the first I have ever heard someone definitively say.

Most say they dont know what happens to non residence driving through Denver, and I have never heard of the open carry for CCW holders so thanks for that info.

Doesnt matter much to me about the 30 rounders as I am a Denver C&C resident...I know dont hate for it....I only have 20 rounders so I dont have to worry about it.

[rondog]

Denver allows open carry if you already have a CCW....

Um, can you prove this? You wanna lead the parade while the rest of us follow along behind ya?

[Tweety Bird]

. . .
Denver allows open carry if you already have a CCW....

First I've heard of it, too. (Of course, there are LOTS of other things that I haven't heard of, I suppose, but I have no idea what they would be. )

If true, the only way they'll know if you're doing it legally is to stop you and question you about a permit.

Don't think I want that attention drawn to me.

[Tweety Bird]

So it's legal for me as an Elbert County resident to transport my AR through Denver with a 30-round magazine, yet if I lived in the city, I couldn't even possess one? I'm not arguing whether that's correct or not; I'm just astonished at the (il)logic of it. I'm guessing that if they found my AR, they'd try to hassle me, regardless of where I live. Not bashing cops here; hell, my brother is one in COS. I'm just thinking of how it might really play out.

You know that if they have reason to search your car, they're going to look until they find something. I'm guessing that most policemen would rather not get tied up in the paperwork that would go along with that sort of arrest. They're only human, after all. Throw 'em a bone so they won't go any further. (Learned this trick decades ago when Quality Assurance showed up for their inspections.) How about transporting the rifle with a 5-round magazine in it or near it. Stash the others somewhere else in the car, far away from the gun. Maybe they'll see the rifle and legal magazine and let you go on your way.

[mutt]

Driving through denver is exempted from the laws it's only for people residing in denver.

Correct, but be careful. Denver lists this exemption as an affirmative defense:

(3) It shall be an affirmative defense to charges brought under this section that the transportation of an assault weapon:

(a) Is through the city by a nonresident who is in legal possession of an assault weapon; or

Definition of affirmative defense n. when a defendant files an answer, in addition to denying some or all of the allegations, he/she can state what are called "affirmative defenses." These defenses can contain allegations, take the initiative against statements of facts contrary to those stated in the original complaint against them, and include various defenses based on legal principles. Many of these defenses fall into the "boilerplate" (stated in routine, non-specific language) category, but one or more of the defenses may help the defendant.

Common language - You have to go to court and prove you're exempt to get the charges dismissed. Meanwhile Denver will confiscate your weapons and gear as evidence for your criminal trial. You get to wait months for your trial date while racking up legal fees, missed work days, etc. Of course the anti-gun Denver DA will spare you this and drop all charges if you just agree to surrender your 'assault weapons'. Considering the legal fess will probably cost more than the value of the weapons, many do just that.

As others have said, the best strategy is to keep your gear in the trunk, know your rights (do not consent to searches) and don't give the Denver PD any reason to probe further if they pull you over.