Open Carry in Colorado............

[M4A3]

(I posted this over at ARFCOM, but I figure I would ask here as well)

I just sat down and read the entire state law of Colorado regarding firearms. Even all the part that is for Dealers. I cant find anywhere that says its LEGAL to carry openly with no permit.

Can you gentlemen shed some light on this for me?

Thanks.

[kenny]

If it's not specifically prohibited.....


KAC

[KarlPMann]

Kenny is 100% correct. That's just the way the law works. It has to be specifically prohibited. There is currently no state law in Colorado that prohibits open carry in general. There are a few laws in regards to carrying in places like airports, court houses, etc. But not in general public. Anyway, in all honesty, for the problems you're bound to encounter, why bother. Just get the permit, and carry concealed whenever that's possible. Karl.

[The1andOnlyKC]

I agree with Karl. Get the permit.

How much I hate to say it. Open carry is a big hassle.

If you like the out doors, run or ride a bike then you will find almost every trail and park you goto it is posted that you can not open carry a firearm in that park.

[brian33x51]

I've heard that with open carry someone may claim they feel "harassed" or "menaced" some crap like that and can get you charged with something.

Having ot get a permit for anything is just stupid.

Execute the friggin criminals guilty of capital crimes and let everybody carry. Get out of my business and my life.

[Circuits]

The one downside to the state legislature taking over firearms regulations in the state is that it extended to cities and towns the right to regulate open carry, and several places like Boulder and Manitou Springs have completely outlawed open carry of firearms within their city limits. Cities and towns are not permitted to regulate concealed carry, although private property owners can forbid carrying of firearms on their premises, and concealed carry is not permitted under state law in any place where there are permanent metal detectors installed, certain government buildings, schools, and most parks.

[kenny]

Parks? I don't think so, I'll have to look at the law again. The only parks I know of where it's not legal are the National Parks.

KAC
P.S. I just looked through the summary on packing.org and don't see anything about parks.

[kenny]

also just re-reading through the actual statutes... in section

18-12-105.5. Unlawfully carrying a weapon - unlawful possession of weapons - school, college, or university grounds.

it says (unless I'm misreading it) that if you have a ccw you can actually carry on school property. Am I mis-reading this?

It's somewhat important to me since I'm forever having meeting etc with my kids teachers, going to school events.. blah blah blah..

KAC

[The1andOnlyKC]

Yes it is illegal to open carry in a park if it is posted.

If it isnt posted I believe you are all right.

[kenny]

The section of the law I referenced has to do with concealed carry, so that is different. I don't think I've ever seen any postings about open carry, unless the posting just says "no firearms" which I think I have seem some places...

It can all get very confusing and if we are to be responsible gun owners/ccw sheepdogs it's important to know...

KAC

[KarlPMann]

Yes, the no carrying in parks only applies to OPEN carry. If you have the CCW and you carry concealed, you're OK. Same applies to government buildings. If they want them restricted, they have to install metal detectors and guards. That's what the big stink was in Colorado Springs with our local nutcase and his shotgun. :roll: Just get the CCW, carry concealed and be happy. It's the best we'll ever do in this state. :wink: Karl.

[michael_aos]

I open-carried my 9mm Hi-Power a few times.

It just kind of "felt" awkward to me. Like everybody was looking at me.

At the Sporting Goods counter in Wal-Mart, the clerk asked me if I knew the hammer was cocked....

On a somewhat related note, my dad lives a few miles outside of his town. Close enough to his neighbors that they can hear him shooting. He sometimes shoots just to keep them accustomed to hearing gunfire.

Seems like a similar concept with open-carry. If more folks would do it every so often, it wouldn't be regarded as such an oddity.

Mike

[Circuits]

Thread resurrection? I'll show ya thread resurrection!

This was the earliest post of mine I could find (older posts went away during on of our board software upgrades).

[Irving]

It was a great first post. :)