Can I Carry my Concealed Weapon From City to City?

Police Officer Carrying a gun in Colorado can be tricky especially if you intend to travel from city to city. This article clarifies the law in Colorado so that it is clear when you can, or cannot carry a weapon in your car.

Colorado has always had very strong “Second Amendment” firearm rights laws beginning with the Colorado state constitution:

Colorado State Constitutional Provision Article II, Section 13.

“The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons.”

That legal support carries through to most Colorado State Statutes addressing the concealed carry laws. Here are some important rules to know about unlicensed conceal carry issues in Colorado:

Under Colorado’s Title 18-12-105(2): you are allowed to carry a firearm in a vehicle if the use of the weapon is for the “lawful protection of such person or another’s person or property. That same law allows a person to possess a handgun in a:

Dwelling, or Place of business

An Important Hitch Transferring the Gun from One Venue to Another Plain View

While the weapon can be concealed as described you are NOT allowed to conceal the weapon as you transport it from venue to venue. Specifically, the weapon CANNOT be concealed when transporting it from your home, business, hotel room, the weapon must be in plain view.

Transporting Weapons Between Local Cities And Towns

The Colorado state legislature recognized a problem when the City of Denver attempted to prohibit the concealment of weapons in automobiles when those automobiles entered the city. A law was then enacted 18-12-105.6 that prohibited local jurisdictions from enacting laws that restricted a citizens right to travel with a weapon.

This is called the “preemption” of local law. In a nutshell, the rule is this no local governing entity shall prohibit travel with a weapon for hunting or lawful protection of a person or property.

Here are the laws that apply (always, always read the law):

§ 18-12-105.6. Limitation on local ordinances regarding firearms in private vehicles
  1. The general assembly hereby finds that:
    1. Section 3 of article II of the state constitution, the article referred to as the state bill of rights, declares that all persons have certain inalienable rights, which include the right to defend their lives and liberties;
    2. Section 13 of article II of the state constitution protects the fundamental right of a person to keep and bear arms and implements section 3 of article II of the state constitution;
    3. The general assembly recognizes a duty to protect and defend the fundamental civil rights set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (1);
    4. There exists a widespread inconsistency among jurisdictions within the state with regard to firearms regulations;
    5. This inconsistency among local government laws regulating lawful firearm possession and ownership has extraterritorial impact on state citizens and the general public by subjecting them to criminal and civil penalties in some jurisdictions for conduct wholly lawful in other jurisdictions;
    6. Inconsistency among local governments of laws regulating the possession and ownership of firearms results in persons being treated differently under the law solely on the basis of where they reside, and a person’s residence in a particular county or city or city and county is not a rational classification when it is the basis for denial of equal treatment under the law;
    7. This inconsistency places citizens in the position of not knowing when they may be violating the local laws and therefore being unable to avoid violating the law and becoming subject to criminal and other penalties.
    1. Based on the findings specified in subsection (1) of this section, the general assembly concludes that the carrying of weapons in private automobiles or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of a person’s or another’s person or property while traveling into, through, or within, a municipal, county, or city and county jurisdiction, regardless of the number of times the person stops in a jurisdiction, is a matter of statewide concern and is not an offense.
    2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no municipality, county, or city and county shall have the authority to enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would restrict a person’s ability to travel with a weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of a person’s or another’s person or property while traveling into, through, or within, a municipal, county, or city and county jurisdiction, regardless of the number of times the person stops in a jurisdiction.
Another Hitch Open Carry

In 2006, the Colorado Supreme Court held that state laws could not unconstitutionally infringe on Denver’s “home rule authority” as local authority applied to the issue of “open carry.” What that means is this: Denver IS allowed to ban, under certain circumstances, the open carrying of firearms, banning assault weapons and Saturday night specials. (State v. City and County of Denver, 139 P.3d 635 (Colo. 2006).), but there must be adequate posting of signage to warn people of the regulation.

Here again, is the relevant law:

§ 29-11.7-104. Regulation Carrying Posting

A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government’s jurisdiction. If a local government enacts an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area, the local government shall post signs at the public entrances to the building or specific area informing persons that the open carrying of firearms is prohibited in the building or specific area.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no municipality, county, or city and county shall have the authority to enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would restrict a person’s ability to travel with a weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of a person’s or another’s person or property while traveling into, through, or within, a municipal, county, or city and county jurisdiction, regardless of the number of times the person stops in a jurisdiction.

Colorado gun laws can sometimes be confusing so here’s a tip when in doubt check out the Colorado Bureau of Investigations website or just call them at 303-239-4201.

Colorado Criminal Law Can I Carry My Concealed Weapon From City to City?

If you found any of the information I have provided on this web page article helpful, please click the Share buttons for Twitter and Facebook so that others may also find it.

The reader is admonished that Colorado criminal law, like criminal law in every state and at the Federal level, changes constantly. The article appearing above was accurate at the time it was drafted but it cannot account for changes occurring after it was uploaded.

If, after reading this article, you have questions about your case and would like to consider retaining our law firm, we invite you to contact us at the Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm 303-627-7777.

Never stop fighting never stop believing in yourself and your right to due process of law. You will not be alone in court, H. Michael will be at your side every step of the way advocating for justice and the best possible result in your case. H. Michael Steinberg is passionate about criminal defense. His extensive knowledge and experience of Colorado Criminal Law gives him the edge you need to properly handle your case

38 Years of Experience About The Author: H. Michael Steinberg Email The Author at: [email protected]. A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance please call 720-220-2277.

“A good criminal defense lawyer is someone who devotes themselves to their client’s case from beginning to end, always realizing that this case is the most important thing in that client’s life.”

You should be careful to make a responsible choice in selecting a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer. We encourage you to “vet” our firm. Over the last 35 plus years by focusing ONLY on Colorado criminal law H. Michael has had the necessary time to commit to the task of constantly updating himself on nearly every area of criminal law, to include Colorado criminal law and procedure and trial and courtroom practice.

Putting more than 38 years of Colorado criminal defense experience to work for you.

H. Michael works hard to get his clients the best possible results in and out of the courtroom. He has written, and continues to write, extensively on Colorado criminal law and he hopes this article helps you in some small way.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Mr. Steinberg provided my family with expert handling of my son's case. He took extra time understand the case, to consult with us during the pretrial proceedings, and to support him for a plea agreement. Mr. Steinberg is very knowledge about the law and very professional. He guided us in achieving the best possible outcome for my son. If I am ever in need of law services again, I will certainly have Mr. Steinberg handle my case. l also highly recommend his services to anyone that might be in need of an excellent defense attorney!" Tanya Witt
★★★★★
"I found myself in criminal trouble, that I wasn't guilty of and thanks to Mr. Steinberg's dedication and hard work, right before we we're looking at having to continue on to trial level Mr. Steinberg was able to use his vast knowledge of the law and his many respected years in the system to find a way to show my innocence. After a very unsure and somewhat difficult time for me, this very skilled and knowledgeable attorney was able to find the right path to take to reach a dismissal in my case. For that I can't tell you how much I appreciate his representation and his excellent understanding and helpful personality. He's a great man and an even better attorney but don't misunderstand him, he is an attorney not a therapist. Thanks H." Josh
★★★★★
"Working with Michael Steinberg was a wonderful experience. Truly people need to know that he is a expert in what he does. His personality is compassionate, intellectual, and down to earth. I glean that Michael is fun to be around. In the time I worked with him, it was a pleasure to be around him. As for my case, the outcome was amazing and couldn’t be better. He has made my life more manageable because of the outcome of my case. I’ve worked with other lawyers in the Denver area. He is superior to them all. If you’re in need of a lawyer and you come across Mr. Steinberg look no further he’s going to be the one you need. Thank you again Michael." Renee Taylor
★★★★★
Mr. Steinberg, It has been an honor working with you. I very much appreciated your style, demeanor, patience, and determination. I was well instructed in every step of the court process, and I felt that I received excellent guidance and timely information regarding my case. You have been extremely thoughtful with your time, and I was very impressed with your sensitivity in responding to my requests. Thank you. Anonymous