Couple of CCW questions

[Adawg38]

I got a few questions about conceal carry...

1-Does a CCW mean you can only carry a handgun or is it any weapon that can be concealed like a knife?

2-If I am carrying concealed in a business where allowed and my Mag Pouch becomes exsposed not my gun and someone sees and calls the cops, do I have an issue?

Thanks in advanced to everyone I am currently awaiting my Permit and just wanna be sure of all laws as possible.

[Dalendenver]

1. Colorado law only addresses carrying a handgun, not a knife.

2. There is no law against carrying a mag so why would you have a problem?

Once you get your permit, or even before, wear your gun around the house until it becomes comfortable and you forget you have it on. You will be selfconscious about it when you start wearing it out but the more you wear it the less you will worry about it.

[Irving]

If you are carrying (with a permit) at a private business. If they feel uncomfortable with you there, they can tell you to leave. You haven't broken any laws by carrying there, however, if you decide that you don't want to leave, then you are in for trouble.

[Adawg38]

I just figure if they see that you have a handgun mag then they'll figure you also have a handgun and will get freaked out and call the cops. My instructor said the idea of concealed carry is so noone knows you are carrying and if someone sees and freaks out and calls the cops you may have trouble. I understand that no laws would be broken obviously having the permit it's just a concern. I will try wearing it around the house like suggested that is a great idea.

[Irving]

Honestly, most people aren't going to even realize what a magazine looks like, especially if it is in a mag holster. I have guys in the construction industry in my office every day. If I saw a leather mag pouch on their belt, I'd assume it was a leather man or something.

[275RLTW]

18-12-105. Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon - unlawful possession of weapons. (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=query&iid=73c12f07.334cadc6.0.0&q=%5BGroup%20%2718-12-105%27%5D)

(1) A person commits a class 2 misdemeanor if such person knowingly and unlawfully:
(a) Carries a knife concealed on or about his or her person; or
(b) Carries a firearm concealed on or about his or her person


2) It shall not be an offense if the defendant was:
(a) A person in his or her own dwelling or place of business or on property owned or under his or her control at the time of the act of carrying; or
(b) A person in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance who carries a weapon for lawful protection of such person's or another's person or property while traveling; or
(c) A person who, at the time of carrying a concealed weapon, held a valid written permit to carry a concealed weapon issued pursuant to section 18-12-105.1 (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=COCODE&d=18-12-105.1&sid=73c12f07.334cadc6.0.0#JD_18-12-1051), as it existed prior to its repeal, or, if the weapon involved was a handgun, held a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun or a temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to part 2 of this article; except that it shall be an offense under this section if the person was carrying a concealed handgun in violation of the provisions of section 18-12-214 (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=COCODE&d=18-12-214&sid=73c12f07.334cadc6.0.0#JD_18-12-214);


Yes, it applies to knives too. Most LE will not enforce this unless you are being a jerk to them or acting like "Crocadile Dundee" with a machete on your hip.

[Irving]

held a valid written permit to carry a concealed weapon issued pursuant to section 18-12-105.1 (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=COCODE&d=18-12-105.1&sid=73c12f07.334cadc6.0.0#JD_18-12-1051), as it existed prior to its repeal,

Doesn't this mean that the law has since been changed and you would have to have had your permit grandfathered in, meaning you would have to have had your permit before the change. The change was in 2003 though. Permits last 5 years. It is now 2010. So I'd say that knives are NOT covered by this.

[275RLTW]

checking current interpretation with LE now.......

[Irving]

I was specifically told by the guy doing my prints when I applied, that it does NOT apply to knives. I took that with a grain of salt since police officers aren't lawyers. But, to his credit, it was only a very, very small grain of salt, since that is what his specialty is, and I've already read the law to agree with his statement.

[55fmj]

It does not apply to knives. Firearms only.

[Zundfolge]

Open carry is legal (without a permit), so if your gun prints, shows or your spare mag shows (thus making it clear you're armed) you're still just fine.

Some idiot might call the police on you, but when they show up you show your permit, they go away and you go about your business.

[Irving]

That is not the case in every state, but it is the case here in Colorado.

[Adawg38]

I only ask cause I carry a pocket knife with a clip in my pocket and have always been told it's considered a concealed weapon so I was curious.

[Irving]

I believe that it is not considered concealed unless it has a FIXED blade over 3" long (might be 5"). In that case, those knives are supposed to be worn in an "open carry" style.

I have a knife that is 12" long with a 5" fixed blade (all one piece of metal) that I keep in my car. I know I can carry in my car with out a permit, but often wonder if it is the same thing for my knife.

[Bongo Boy]

Some idiot might call the police on you, but when they show up you show your permit, they go away and you go about your business.
I was just told of a case in lower downtown Denver where that wasn't how it all went down. I have no way to verify the story--but as it goes, ccw guy printed, Citizen called police. Police confiscated weapon and ccw guy was told he'd have to pick it up at the station where they'd give it back. Again, according to the story...the guy was popped on a disturbing the peace beef with a $50 fine.

The details of the story did hang together somewhat; when ccw guy was finally able to pick up his weapon at around 9pm that same day, he was advised by the cops there that they "didn't really like folks to carry concealed" or something to that effect. My understanding is that counties outside of El Paso aren't nearly as supportive.

The whole story could be bs, I don't know.

[Adawg38]

See it's those stories that piss me off! You got a permit and some stupid "I don't like guns" person calls the cops and you become the bad guy?

[Irving]

I had a guy tell me he got guns drawn on him, thrown on the ground and arrested for open carrying. This was 10 years ago and his gun was in the trunk the whole time. All he had on was an empty holster.

[Adawg38]

I understand concealed carry means concealed but once you see it it becomes open carry. What good is the govt or state if they can't abide by their own laws?

[Irving]

Yeah, I'm considering running with my IWB holster but no shirt, or no shirt over my gun when I get my permit.

It's either concealed (I'll have a permit) or open carry (which is legal where I live) so I don't see how it will be an issue. Except I'm sure someone will call the police and tell them there is "A man running with a gun!" and forget to mention that I'm jogging and wearing spandex.