Tag: CRS

Legal & Law

Can You Legally Set Up “Booby Traps” in Colorado?

Mark Schneider

Can you legally set a booby trap to protect your home or property in Colorado? This is a common question—especially among homeowners concerned about crime or trespassing. The short and clear answer is no. Setting a harmful booby trap, especially one involving firearms or explosives, is illegal in Colorado and could lead to serious criminal charges, including second-degree murder.

Let’s break down what’s legal, what’s not, and what the law says.

What Is a Booby Trap?

A booby trap is any mechanical or electrical device set up to injure, kill, or disable a person who triggers it unknowingly. Traps that involve loaded firearms, explosives, or sharpened objects fall into this category.

Colorado law strictly prohibits these types of devices—even on your own property.

Illegal Booby Trap Example

Let’s say a homeowner rigs a loaded shotgun to the door of their shed, intending it to fire if someone tries to break in. If someone—whether a burglar or a firefighter—opens the door and is shot, the homeowner could be charged with assault, manslaughter, or second-degree murder depending on the outcome.

Under Colorado law, this type of device is clearly illegal.

While harmful traps are off-limits, non-lethal security measures are completely legal. For example:

  • Alarm systems
  • Motion-activated floodlights
  • Cameras and surveillance systems
  • Noise-making deterrents
  • Signage (e.g., “24/7 Video Monitoring” or “Alarm Will Sound”)

These measures are legal and encouraged, as they help deter crime without causing bodily harm.

A homeowner installs a motion sensor that turns on floodlights and sounds an alarm when someone walks near their garage. The system alerts the homeowner and may scare off an intruder—but it does not physically harm anyone.

This is 100% legal in Colorado and a smart way to boost security.

The Law: CRS § 18-12-106 – Prohibited Use of Weapons

Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-12-106 clearly prohibit setting up deadly or injurious traps. Specifically:

  • Subsection (1)(c): It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to “knowingly set a loaded gun, trap, or device designed to cause an explosion upon being tripped or approached.”

Additional prohibited actions under this statute include:

  • Aiming a firearm at another person without legal justification (subsection 1(a))
  • Recklessly discharging a firearm (subsection 1(b))
  • Possessing a firearm while intoxicated (subsection 1(d))

There are also rules regarding exotic weapons like throwing stars and nunchaku under subsection (2).

Final Thoughts

Booby traps that can harm or kill are illegal in Colorado—even if they’re meant to protect your home. If you set up a harmful trap and someone is injured or killed, you could face criminal charges and civil liability.

Stick with legal, non-lethal security tools like alarms, cameras, and lights. These offer protection without violating Colorado law.

Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans in Colorado

Colorado Concealed Carry Classes – Get Trained Legally and Responsibly

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change, and individual circumstances vary, so consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. The information provided is based on Colorado law at the time of writing and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law, News

Colorado’s New CCW Instructor Verification Law Takes Effect: What You Need to Know

Mark Schneider

On August 7, 2024, a significant new law came into effect in Colorado that impacts both concealed carry weapons (CCW) instructors and those seeking to obtain a CCW permit. The new law, 18-12-202.7, mandates that all CCW instructors must be verified by the sheriff in the county where they conduct their firearms training. This move is designed to ensure that all instructors meet a standardized level of qualification and uphold high standards in firearms education.

What Does the New Law Entail?

Under this new regulation, each sheriff in Colorado is responsible for verifying firearms instructors within their jurisdiction. To become a verified instructor, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Hold a Valid CCW Permit: Instructors must possess a valid concealed handgun permit issued under Colorado law. Temporary emergency permits do not qualify.
  2. Certification as a Firearms Instructor: Instructors must be certified by a recognized entity, such as a law enforcement agency, college or university, nationally recognized firearms training organization, or a firearms training school.

Once verified, instructors will receive evidence of verification from the sheriff, which will be valid for ten years. Sheriffs are also required to maintain a public list of verified instructors, which will be accessible on their websites.

Implications for CCW Instructors

The verification process ensures that instructors are fully qualified and maintain high standards in their teaching. It also provides students with confidence that their training meets the necessary legal requirements.

What This Means for CCW Applicants

For those looking to obtain a CCW permit in Colorado, the process is about to become more rigorous. While currently, the requirement is simply to complete a class, starting July 1, 2025, the new requirements will include:

  • Mandatory 8-Hour Class: The class will cover a comprehensive curriculum, including legal responsibilities, safety, and practical firearm handling.
  • Test and Shooting Qualification: Applicants must pass a test at the end of the class and achieve a shooting qualification score of 70% or higher.
  • Range Time: Mandatory range time will be required, where applicants must shoot with the handgun they intend to carry.

These upcoming changes mean that it will become more challenging to obtain a CCW permit in Colorado. Therefore, it is highly recommended that anyone considering obtaining their permit do so now while the process is still relatively straightforward.

If you’re ready to get your CCW permit before these new requirements take effect, don’t wait—Contact us today for more information and to sign up for a class.

Getting your CCW permit now will allow you to avoid the upcoming mandatory 8-hour class, range time, and qualification test that will be required next year. Don’t miss this opportunity to complete the process under the current, simpler guidelines.

For more information on the new law and how it may impact both instructors and CCW applicants, feel free to reach out to us. Our team is here to help guide you through the process and ensure you’re fully prepared for the changes ahead.

Home Defense, Legal & Law

Colorado’s Firearm Storage Laws: A Comprehensive Guide to Responsible Gun Ownership

Mark Schneider

In Colorado, responsible gun ownership extends beyond the immediate handling and use of firearms to include their secure storage when not in the owner’s direct control. The state’s laws mandate specific requirements for storing firearms to prevent unauthorized access and enhance public safety. This article will delve into these requirements, citing relevant Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), and provide detailed examples of good and bad storage practices to illustrate the importance of adhering to these laws.

Legal Requirements for Firearm Storage

Colorado law, specifically CRS § 18-12-114, addresses the safe storage of firearms. According to this statute, it is unlawful for a person to leave a firearm unsecured if they know or should reasonably know that a minor or unauthorized person could gain access to the firearm. This law aims to prevent accidents, theft, and misuse of firearms by ensuring they are stored securely when not in use.

In the Home or Business

For firearms stored in homes or businesses, the law requires several specific methods to ensure security:

  • Safes: A locked safe specifically designed for firearm storage. These safes are typically constructed from heavy-duty materials, making them difficult to break into. Firearm safes also often come with features like biometric locks or combination locks that further enhance security.
  • Lock Boxes: A lock box that is secure and tamper-resistant. Lock boxes are generally smaller than safes and can be easily stored in discreet locations around the home or business. They provide a convenient option for securely storing a firearm while ensuring it remains accessible to the owner.
  • Locked Containers: Any other secure, locked container that can effectively prevent unauthorized access. These containers can include anything from a locked drawer to a specially designed firearm cabinet. The key is that the container must be lockable and sturdy enough to deter unauthorized access.
  • Other Reasonable Areas: A designated, secure area within the property that can reasonably prevent unauthorized access. This could be a locked room or a hidden compartment that is difficult to find or access without specific knowledge.

In a Vehicle

When storing firearms in a vehicle, Colorado law mandates secure storage methods to prevent unauthorized access and theft:

  • Permanently Mounted Lock Boxes: A lock box that is permanently attached to the vehicle. These lock boxes are typically bolted or welded to the vehicle’s frame, making them extremely difficult to remove. They provide a high level of security, ensuring the firearm remains safe even if the vehicle is broken into.
  • Cable-Attached Lock Boxes: A lock box with a cable attachment to a seat mount bracket or other secure point in the vehicle. This type of lock box uses a heavy-duty cable to secure the box to the vehicle, preventing easy removal. The cable should be made of a material that is resistant to cutting and tampering.

Responsible Gun Ownership

Adhering to these storage requirements is not only a legal obligation but also a cornerstone of responsible gun ownership. By ensuring that firearms are securely stored, gun owners can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, theft, and misuse. Safe storage practices protect not only the gun owner and their family but also the wider community by preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands.

Example Scenarios

Good Storage Practices

  1. Home Storage: Jane keeps her firearms in a large gun safe in her home. The safe is bolted to the floor, making it difficult to remove. Only Jane and her spouse know the combination, ensuring that their teenage children cannot access the firearms. In addition, Jane uses trigger locks on each firearm as an added layer of security, demonstrating a commitment to responsible gun ownership.
  2. Vehicle Storage: John frequently travels with his firearm for work. He uses a lock box permanently mounted in his vehicle’s trunk. The lock box is secured with a high-strength cable to the seat mount bracket, ensuring that even if the trunk is breached, the firearm remains secure. John also makes a habit of parking in well-lit, busy areas to further reduce the risk of theft.
  3. Business Storage: Maria owns a small business and keeps a firearm on the premises for security purposes. She stores the firearm in a locked drawer within a locked office. Only she and her trusted manager have keys to both the office and the drawer, ensuring that the firearm is accessible only to authorized personnel.

Bad Storage Practices

  1. Home Storage: Mike leaves his handgun in an unlocked drawer in his bedroom. One day, his young nephew visits and discovers the firearm, leading to a dangerous situation. This practice is both illegal and highly irresponsible, as it exposes minors to significant risk and violates Colorado’s storage laws.
  2. Vehicle Storage: Sarah keeps her firearm in the glove compartment of her car without any locking mechanism. Her car is broken into, and the firearm is stolen, potentially falling into the wrong hands. This scenario highlights the importance of using secure, lockable storage in vehicles to prevent theft and unauthorized access.
  3. Business Storage: Tom runs a small retail shop and keeps a firearm under the counter for protection. The firearm is not secured in any way, making it easily accessible to employees and potentially customers. This practice not only violates storage laws but also poses a significant risk to everyone in the store.

Conclusion

Compliance with Colorado’s firearm storage laws is essential for preventing unauthorized access and ensuring public safety. Gun owners should familiarize themselves with CRS § 18-12-114 and take appropriate measures to secure their firearms in all settings. By doing so, they uphold the principles of responsible gun ownership and contribute to a safer community for everyone.

Proper storage practices protect not only the gun owner but also their family, friends, and the broader community. Whether at home, in a vehicle, or at a business, ensuring firearms are securely stored is a fundamental aspect of responsible gun ownership. Remember, safe storage is not just a legal requirement—it’s a commitment to safety and responsibility that every gun owner must embrace.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, laws and regulations are subject to change. For specific legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney.