Tag: concealed carry Colorado

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

How to Legally Defend Someone Else in Colorado

Mark Schneider

If you’re a concealed carry permit holder, armed citizen, or security professional in Colorado, you’ve likely asked yourself: Can I legally defend someone else if they’re being attacked? The answer is yes — but only under certain circumstances.

Colorado law allows the use of force in defense of others, but just like with self-defense, there are limits. You can’t step in just because something “feels wrong.” You need to meet specific legal requirements — or you risk facing criminal charges, even if your intentions were good.

Colorado’s Legal Standard: Defense of Others

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-1-704, you are justified in using physical force or deadly force on behalf of another person if that person would have been legally justified in using that force to protect themselves.

In plain English:

You must “stand in their shoes.” If they had the right to use force, you can act on their behalf — but no more than they legally could have.

The AOJ Triangle: Ability, Opportunity, Jeopardy

Before intervening, use the AOJ framework — the same used in courtrooms and law enforcement:

  • Ability – Does the attacker have the physical power or weapon to cause serious harm?
  • Opportunity – Are they close enough or positioned to carry out that threat?
  • Jeopardy – Is the victim in imminent danger right now?

If all three are present, defensive action may be justified.

When It’s Not Justified

You are not justified if:

  • The person you’re defending was the initial aggressor
  • You use more force than the situation calls for
  • You step in without understanding what actually happened
  • The threat has already ended (retreating attacker, person is safe, etc.)

Real-World Example: People v. Guenther

In People v. Guenther, the defendant intervened in a domestic dispute, believing a woman was in danger. He used deadly force — but the court ruled it wasn’t justified, because the threat had ended. Timing and perception matter. Even if your heart is in the right place, you can’t legally escalate a situation that’s already de-escalated.

What to Do Instead of Jumping In

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Gather information – Who’s the aggressor? What’s happening?
  • Give verbal commands (if safe): “Back away!” “I’m calling the police!”
  • Use force only if someone is in imminent danger and you are trained to do so

Final Thoughts: Train for Reality

Defending others is one of the most serious decisions you can make with a firearm. It requires training, good judgment, and a deep understanding of the law. That’s why we cover these real-life scenarios and legal frameworks in every concealed carry class we teach.

The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Concealed Carry Classes of Denver LLC, its instructors, owners, and affiliates are not attorneys and do not provide legal representation. Laws may change and vary by jurisdiction, and interpretations can depend on specific facts and circumstances.
Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal guidance regarding use-of-force, self-defense, or firearms-related incidents in your area.

Legal & Law

Self-Defense Laws: Force vs. Deadly Force in Colorado

Mark Schneider

When you’re carrying a firearm, whether for personal protection or in a professional role, one of the most important legal distinctions to understand is the difference between use of force and use of deadly force.

Colorado law clearly separates the two, and knowing where the line is can mean the difference between a justified act of self-defense—and criminal charges.

🔹 Why It Matters

You’re allowed to use physical force in a wide range of situations. But the second you use deadly force, the legal bar goes way up. You must meet stricter conditions, and your actions will be scrutinized under a microscope.

This is where many otherwise responsible gun owners get into trouble—not because they were malicious, but because they didn’t understand the law.

🔹 What Is “Use of Force”?

Under C.R.S. § 18-1-704, you’re allowed to use reasonable and appropriate physical force to defend yourself or someone else from the imminent use of unlawful physical force.

Examples of non-deadly force might include:

  • Shoving someone to break free
  • Using OC spray or a baton
  • A closed-fist punch in self-defense
  • Restraining someone without causing serious injury

You cannot use deadly force to stop a shove, slap, or verbal threat alone—even if it feels threatening.

🔹 What Is “Use of Deadly Force”?

Deadly force is any force that is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. This includes:

  • Firing a gun at someone (even if you miss)
  • Stabbing or striking with a deadly weapon
  • Strikes to vital areas (e.g., head with a hard object)

You’re only allowed to use deadly force under very specific conditions.

🔹 When Can You Use Deadly Force in Colorado?

Colorado law says you’re justified in using deadly force only when you reasonably believe it’s necessary to:

  1. Prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to yourself or another person;
  2. Stop the commission of certain violent felonies, including:
    • Kidnapping
    • Sexual assault
    • Robbery
    • Burglary
    • Aggravated assault
    • First-degree arson
  3. Defend against someone unlawfully entering your home under Colorado’s Make My Day law (C.R.S. § 18-1-704.5).

Each of these situations still requires a reasonable belief that the threat is real and immediate.

🔹 What Counts as Serious Bodily Injury?

Colorado defines serious bodily injury (SBI) as:

  • Risk of death
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Protracted loss or impairment of any body part or organ
  • Broken bones
  • Severe burns
  • Loss of consciousness due to injury

If the threat doesn’t rise to that level, you’re likely restricted to non-deadly force only.

🔹 Real-World Example

A man shoves you in a store parking lot after an argument over a parking space. He’s angry, but unarmed. You draw your firearm and fire.

Result: That’s deadly force—and likely not justified under Colorado law. You may be arrested and charged with a crime.

Now, if that same man pulls a knife and charges at you, and you reasonably believe you’re about to be killed or seriously injured? That’s a very different situation—deadly force may now be legally justified.

🔹 Tactical Takeaways

  • You must match the level of threat. Don’t escalate a non-deadly situation with deadly force.
  • Know the law before you carry. If you can’t articulate why deadly force was necessary, you’re in serious legal danger.
  • Training matters. Understanding threat assessment, de-escalation, and proportional response is key.

🔚 Conclusion

In Colorado, the legal difference between use of force and deadly force is massive—and the consequences of getting it wrong are life-changing.

Deadly force should be a last resort, reserved only for truly extreme threats. As a responsible armed citizen or professional, your best weapon is not your gun—it’s your judgment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance, please consult a licensed Colorado attorney.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

Legally Defending Others in Colorado: What You Need to Know

Mark Schneider

Most people understand they can legally defend themselves when facing a deadly threat. But what about defending someone else? Can you legally intervene with your firearm if another person is being attacked?

In Colorado, the answer is yes—but there are strict conditions. The concept is called “defense of others,” and it’s part of Colorado’s self-defense statutes. Understanding when you’re legally justified to step in could save someone’s life—and keep you out of prison.

🔹 The Law: Defense of Others in Colorado

Colorado Revised Statute § 18-1-704(1) says that a person is justified in using physical force (including deadly force) to protect a third party—if they reasonably believe that:

  1. The third party would be justified in using that level of force to defend themselves, and
  2. The intervention is necessary to prevent what you reasonably believe is an imminent use of unlawful force.

This is key: You “step into the shoes” of the person you’re defending.

🔹 Real-World Example

You’re at a gas station and see a man viciously attacking a woman. If you reasonably believe she’s in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death, and she would legally be justified in using deadly force, then you are legally justified in stepping in with deadly force to defend her.

But—if she started the fight or if she no longer faces a threat—you may not be legally covered. That’s why good judgment is critical.

🔹 Key Conditions You Must Meet

  • Reasonable belief: Your belief that someone is in danger must be reasonable—not just based on emotion or confusion.
  • Imminent threat: The threat must be happening now—not five minutes ago, not a verbal argument, and not after the attacker is fleeing.
  • Proportional force: You can’t use deadly force to stop a slap, shove, or minor fight. The force must match the threat.
  • They must be justified: If the person you’re defending started the fight and doesn’t have a legal self-defense claim, neither do you.

🔹 Tactical Considerations

  • You may not know the full story. Intervening in someone else’s fight is risky. What if the person you “help” is actually the aggressor?
  • Don’t confuse defense with revenge. You’re not the punisher—you’re only allowed to stop the immediate threat.
  • Be a good witness when you can. Sometimes the best help is calling 911 and providing solid info, especially if the threat has already ended.

🔹 Armed Security Guards and Defense of Others

For security professionals, defending others is often part of the job. But even with a duty to protect, the same legal standard applies. You must be able to articulate a reasonable belief that the third party was facing unlawful force—and that your response was necessary and appropriate under the law.

Your report needs to reflect that, too. Avoid phrases like “I had to put him down” and stick to the facts: what you saw, what you believed, and why you acted.

🔚 Conclusion

In Colorado, you’re legally allowed to defend others—but only under specific conditions. You need to know what the law allows, recognize the legal risks, and be absolutely sure your actions are justified.

If you’re armed in public, you carry more than a weapon—you carry the legal responsibility that comes with it.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance, please consult a licensed Colorado attorney.