Author: Mark Schneider

I am a certified firearms instructor and use-of-force expert with extensive real-world experience in firearms, security, and defensive tactics.Credentials & Experience:20+ years of owning, collecting, and shooting firearms.12+ years in the security industry, including physical security, executive protection, workplace violence prevention, loss prevention, CCTV operations, access control, incident management, and threat assessment.Denver Police Verified Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Instructor.Authorized Trainer for Denver Security Guard Training.NRA Certified Firearms Instructor – Pistol, Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), Rifle, Shotgun, Inside the Home (ITH), Outside the Home (OTH), Range Training & Basic Verification (RTBV), Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO).USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor – Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals (CCHDF).Force Science Institute Certified – Use-of-Force Analysis.De-escalation Certified Instructor.Massad Ayoob MAG-40 Graduate.Sig Sauer Academy Graduate – Pistol 103 & Pistol 104.Law of Self Defense – Instructor Program Graduate.Dave Grossman Academy – Completed The Bullet Proof Mind, On Combat, and On Killing courses.Axon Taser Certified Instructor.OC/Pepper Spray Certified Instructor.PPCT Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor.Glock Armorer.Novice Gunsmith.Licensed Insurance Producer.HAM Radio Operator.8+ years as a teacher and instructor in firearms, self-defense, and related disciplines.
Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Damage Factory – Greenwood Village’s Premier Firearms Store & Training Hub

Mark Schneider

If you’re anywhere in the Denver or Greenwood Village area, make time to visit Damage Factory. It’s easily one of the best firearm stores and training centers in all of Colorado. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place is built by people who genuinely care about safety, professionalism, and their customers.

🔹 Owned and Operated by True Professionals

Ken and Mike, the owners of Damage Factory, are absolutely top-notch. They run the business with pride, integrity, and an obvious passion for helping every customer — whether it’s your first firearm or your fiftieth.

They take the time to answer questions, explain options, and make sure you walk away confident in your purchase. There’s zero sales pressure — just real guidance from people who know what they’re talking about.

Their staff reflects the same standard. Everyone is friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. The overall experience is professional yet approachable, and it’s clear that Ken and Mike have built something special.

🔹 Excellent Inventory, Smooth Transfers & Great Deals

Damage Factory always has a solid selection of handguns, rifles, tactical gear, and accessories, along with a great variety of consignment firearms. Their FFL transfer process is fast and reliable, and prices are fair across the board.

If you’re looking for something specific — or just want to browse — this is the place to go. Their shelves are stocked with quality, and the staff is always ready to help you find what fits your needs.

🔹 Training, Classes & Range Experiences

Damage Factory isn’t just a retail shop — it’s a full-service firearms experience. Their Concealed Carry (CCW) and home defense classes are professionally taught and focused on real-world application and safety.

They also offer machine-gun experiences and special events that make firearm education fun and accessible for everyone. It’s the kind of place that reminds you what responsible gun ownership and training are all about.

🔹 Why Damage Factory Stands Out

Ken and Mike have built a reputation as approachable, knowledgeable business owners who truly care about the shooting community. They’ve created a space that’s welcoming to everyone — from new shooters to experienced professionals.

It’s a rare combination of professionalism, customer care, and community. That’s what makes Damage Factory one of the most trusted firearm destinations in the Denver metro area.

Tell them Mark Schneider sent you — and when you visit, make sure to leave them a 5-star Google Review!
Support a Colorado business that’s doing it right.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

3 Mistakes That Will Get You Arrested — Even With a Colorado CCW

Mark Schneider

Owning a concealed carry permit (CCW) in Colorado gives you the right to carry — but not immunity from arrest or prosecution. Even responsible gun owners can find themselves in handcuffs for making simple, avoidable mistakes.

Below are three common errors that have led to real arrests and criminal charges across Colorado. Each one can destroy your reputation, cost you your permit, and leave you facing thousands in legal fees.

Mistake #1 – Handling or Carrying While Under the Influence

Colorado law is crystal clear: if you’re too impaired to drive, you’re too impaired to carry a gun.
Under CRS 18-12-106, it’s illegal to possess or handle a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Even if your firearm stays holstered, being intoxicated while armed can still lead to arrest, permit suspension, and felony charges.

A recent Greeley bar shooting case shows how alcohol, anger, and poor judgment can destroy lives. The suspect reportedly became intoxicated, felt “disrespected,” left to retrieve a rifle, and returned to fire 28 rounds in and around a bar — injuring bystanders and earning a 1,016-year prison sentence.

👉 Lesson: If you plan to drink, leave your firearm secured and locked away.
A single bad decision under the influence can erase years of training and cost you your freedom.

Mistake #2 – Brandishing or “Demonstrating” Your Firearm Without Justification

Many CCW holders misunderstand what counts as a defensive display versus menacing.
Pulling back your jacket, unholstering your gun, or even placing your hand on the grip during an argument can be seen as threatening under Colorado law.

In my De-Escalation for CCW Holders article, I teach the “6 Ds”: Detect, Disengage, Demonstrate, Deter, Defend, Dial 911.
The “Demonstrate” stage only applies when you are in imminent fear of death or serious bodily harm — not because someone disrespected you, cut you off, or raised their voice.

👉 Lesson: Keep your ego out of it.
If you’re not legally justified to fire, you’re not legally justified to draw.

Mistake #3 – Getting Involved in Fights or Ego-Driven Altercations

Nothing ruins a self-defense claim faster than provocation.
If you start the confrontation, the law will not protect you — even if the other person escalates.

The Gavin Dasaur incident is another example of how anger, alcohol, and ego can lead to tragedy.
Colorado’s self-defense laws (CRS 18-1-704 and 18-1-705) protect those acting reasonably — not those seeking revenge or “to teach someone a lesson.”

👉 Lesson: Walk away.
Every argument you avoid is one you win.

⚖️ Criminal vs. Civil Consequences

TypeExampleOutcome
Criminal ChargesReckless endangerment, menacing, or unlawful carryJail time, probation, or firearm ban
Civil LawsuitThe other party sues for damagesLegal defense costs, potential settlement
AdministrativeCCW suspension or revocationLoss of carry privileges, retraining required

Even if you “win” in court, you still lose time, money, and peace of mind.

🧭 Know the Law, Train the Mindset

Colorado’s self-defense laws are designed to protect you when you act reasonably and proportionally.
Understanding those boundaries is what separates responsible gun owners from defendants.

For a deeper dive into use-of-force standards, read my breakdown:
👉 Colorado Self-Defense Laws Explained

💡 Call to Action

✅ Sign up for a Colorado Concealed Carry Class —
Train with real scenarios, legal updates, and qualification drills that prepare you for real-world encounters.

✅ Compare Self-Defense Insurance Options —
Protect yourself legally and financially before an incident happens.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Always consult a qualified attorney or instructor before applying use-of-force principles or interpreting state law.

🧩 Suggested Reading

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

Can You Carry a Firearm in a Bar or Restaurant in Colorado?

Mark Schneider

Many Colorado gun owners are surprised to learn that there’s no statewide law banning firearms in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. The confusion comes from not understanding the difference between being present in a place that serves alcohol and being under the influence while armed.

This article breaks down what Colorado law actually says about carrying in bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol — and what every CCW holder and armed professional needs to know before walking through the door.

Colorado Law on Carrying in Bars

Under Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-105 (Unlawfully Carrying a Concealed Weapon) and § 18-12-106 (Prohibited Use of Weapons), it is not illegal to carry a firearm into a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol.

However, it becomes a crime to possess, handle, or use a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

C.R.S. § 18-12-106(1)(d) states that a person commits Prohibited Use of Weapons if they:

“Have in their possession a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a controlled substance.”

That means you don’t have to draw or discharge your firearm to commit a crime — simply being in possession of it while intoxicated is enough.

Law Enforcement Uses the DUI Standard

Colorado law doesn’t set a specific BAC limit for firearm possession, but law enforcement applies the same impairment standard used for DUI cases.
If you’re too drunk to legally drive, you’re too drunk to legally carry a firearm.

Officers can use field sobriety tests, witness statements, or blood-alcohol test results to prove impairment. Even if your BAC is below 0.08%, prosecutors can still charge you if your behavior, coordination, or speech suggest intoxication.

In short:

  • You can legally carry into a bar or restaurant.
  • You cannot be in possession of your firearm once you’re under the influence.
  • The same standard used for a DUI can be used to determine guilt.

Bars vs. Restaurants: The Difference Is Policy, Not Law

Colorado law doesn’t distinguish between a bar and a restaurant — but business owners can set their own policies.

If a bar, nightclub, or restaurant posts a “No Firearms” sign, that’s their right as private property owners. Ignoring it isn’t a gun crime, but it can result in a trespassing charge if you refuse to leave when asked.

Always respect posted signage and management requests — it’s not worth losing your permit or facing charges.

Concealed Carry and Alcohol: The Fine Line

Your Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) allows you to carry concealed into most establishments, including those that serve alcohol.
But the moment you become “under the influence,” that lawful carry ends.

Even a single drink can complicate a self-defense case. If you’re armed and involved in a defensive incident after drinking, prosecutors can use your alcohol consumption to question your judgment and reasonableness — even if the shooting was justified.

Bottom line:
Carrying while drinking is technically legal.
Being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated is illegal under state law.

Open Carry in Bars and Restaurants

Colorado is generally an open-carry state, except where local governments restrict it.

  • Denver completely bans open carry by ordinance.
  • Other cities may limit it inside government buildings or designated areas.

Even where open carry is lawful, doing so in a bar or restaurant can draw unwanted attention or alarm staff and patrons. For most situations, concealed carry is the smarter, lower-profile choice.

Federal and Private Property Restrictions

Some establishments that serve alcohol may also be subject to federal firearm restrictions, including:

  • Federal courthouses or government buildings with cafés or bars
  • Airport restaurants beyond TSA checkpoints
  • Military facilities and federally leased spaces

For a Full List of Prohibited Areas, Visit our Colorado CHP Guide

Private businesses can also ban firearms entirely. If you’re asked to leave, you must do so immediately — refusing can lead to trespassing charges.

Real-World Lessons: Alcohol, Anger, and Ego Don’t Mix

Most firearm-related incidents in bars share three ingredients: alcohol, anger, and ego.
When judgment is impaired, even a normally responsible carrier can make a bad decision that ends in handcuffs or a courtroom.

If you plan to drink, leave your firearm locked and secured beforehand.

It only takes one lapse in judgment to turn a lawful carry into a criminal case or civil lawsuit. This is why every responsible gun owner should carry self-defense insurance and seek continuing education in self-defense law.

Best Practices for CCW Holders

  • Avoid drinking while armed — if you’re too drunk to drive, you’re too drunk to carry.
  • Respect “No Firearms” signs — they fall under private property rights.
  • Keep your firearm holstered and out of sight unless deadly force is lawfully justified.
  • If you plan to consume alcohol, secure your firearm at home in your gun safe
  • Always stay calm, objective, and sober in both mind and judgment.

Final Thoughts

Colorado allows lawful gun owners to carry in most public places — including bars and restaurants — but with freedom comes responsibility.
If you’re going out for drinks, leave the gun at home or in a lockbox. The safest, smartest carriers know that sound judgment is your most important piece of gear.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed Colorado attorney or your local law enforcement agency.