Source: https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/co/state-gun-laws/all
Timestamp: 2019-10-15 03:44:46
Document Index: 110130048

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§13', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 18', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§922', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 924', '§ 16']

I have a temporary order against the abuser. Can the abuser have a gun?
How does an abuser give up his/her guns and ammunition?
Note: Even if the applicant meets all of the requirements above, the sheriff can still deny the permit if, based on the applicant’s previous behavior, the sheriff has a reasonable belief that s/he would likely be a danger to himself/herself or others if the permit were granted.3
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm if s/he is on probation after being convicted of a crime that involved domestic violence. An exception can be made, however, for a defendant whose job requires the use of a firearm if the judge believes that the victim and his/her child would not be endangered and the gun is not stored in the defendant’s home.4
Note: The crime does not have to specifically mention “domestic violence” in order for it to be considered a domestic violence misdemeanor, and for the federal firearm law to apply.2 The relationship that the victim has with the offender is what determines whether or not the misdemeanor is a “domestic violence” misdemeanor.3 For example: If Bob is convicted of a misdemeanor assault against his wife, he may no longer have or buy a gun. If Bob is convicted of a misdemeanor assault against his neighbor, he may still be able to have or buy a gun.
If you’re not sure if a certain crime counts as a domestic violence misdemeanor, you can contact the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit at 1-800-903-0111 x 2.
It is important to note that the definition of a domestic violence misdemeanor under Colorado law is different than that under federal law. Specifically, Colorado defines domestic violence as taking place between “intimate partners” and not in a parent-child relationship.4 However, for the purpose of interpreting federal law, the federal law definition is what would be used.
3 See, for example, United States v. Denis, 297 F.3d.25 (1st Cir. 2002.); United States v. Costigan, 18 Fed.Appx. 2, 2001 WL 535734 (C.A.1 (Me.))
4 See C.R.S.A. § 18-6-801(1)(a)
Throughout these gun law pages, we will refer to gun laws that make it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to have a gun. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. Most felonies under Colorado law are punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year.1 However, you cannot always tell if someone was convicted of a felony only by looking at the amount of time s/he actually served in prison since sentences are often reduced or pled down and since some misdemeanors in Colorado can be punishable by up to 18 months of incarceration.2 If you are unsure if the abuser was convicted of a felony, you might want to talk to the prosecutor who handled the criminal case against the abuser to find out or go to the local criminal courthouse and try to search the records.
2 See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-501
Under Colorado law, the judge generally cannot order an abuser to give up his/her guns in an ex parte order, which is an order issued without prior notice to the abuser.1
However, if your temporary order is continued after the abuser has been served with notice of your petition and has the chance to appear in court, the judge can order that the abuser:
not have or buy any firearms or ammunition for the rest of the order; and
In addition to a temporary protection order due to domestic violence, these protections can also be included in protection orders due to stalking, sexual assault, physical harm/threats, or abuse of the elderly/at-risk adult.3
1 See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(1)(a)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(11), (1)(a); see CITATION AND TEMPORARY CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO §13-14-104.5, C.R.S.​
3 See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(1)(a)
As part of a final protection order due to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, physical harm/threats or abuse of the elderly/at-risk adult, the judge is supposed to order that the abuser:
give up any firearms or ammunition that s/he currently has in his/her possession or control to a licensed firearms dealer, private party or to law enforcement.1
In addition, according to Colorado state law, a person cannot get a permit to carry a concealed handgun if there is a current civil protection order issued against him/her (or a current criminal court protection order).2
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(1)(a), (2)(c)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-203(1)(a)-(g); 18-12-108
If the abuser is in the courtroom when a judge orders the abuser to give up his/her guns and ammunition, s/he will have 24 hours to give up the guns and ammunition. If the abuser is not in the courtroom when the order is issued, s/he will have 48 hours to give them up.1
After the judge orders the abuser to give up his/her guns and ammunition, the abuser may do so by:
selling or transferring the firearms to a federally-licensed firearms dealer;
storing them with a law enforcement agency; or
selling or transferring them to a person who can legally possess firearms or ammunition.2
1Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(2)(a)
2Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-105.5(2)(a)(II)(c)
The abuser does not have to come to the hearing in order for the law to apply to him/her, but s/he does have to be given notice of the hearing and an opportunity to attend.1 If no hearing is scheduled, and/or no notice is given about the court hearing, then the federal firearm law might not apply to the abuser.2
1 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(8); see, for example, United States v. Bunnell 106 F. Supp. 2d 60 (D. Me. 2000), aff’d 280 F.3d 46 (1st Cir. 2002.)
2 See, for example, United States v. Spruill,292 F. 3d 207 (5th Cir. 2002.)
According to Colorado state law, a person who has been convicted of certain crimes cannot get a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The permit will be denied if:
s/he has been convicted of a felony, attempt to commit a felony, or conspiracy to commit a felony; or
s/he has been convicted of perjury related to information provided on a concealed handgun permit application.1
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm if s/he is on probation after being convicted of a crime that involved domestic violence. An exception can be made, however, for a defendant whose job requires the use of a firearm if the judge believes that the victim and his/her child would not be endangered and the gun is not stored in the defendant’s home.2
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-203(1)(c),(d); 18-12-108
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-204(2)(b)(IV)
Maybe. Law enforcement officers and other government officials who have been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony cannot have or buy guns for any purpose, including their official duties, according to federal law.1
However, an exception may be made under Colorado state law if a convicted criminal is on probation.2 If the abuser is a law enforcement officer or other government official and you fear that s/he may threaten or harm you with a gun, it is important to let the judge (and even possibly the probation officer) know this information.
You may also wish to consult our Safety Tips page to learn more about staying safe. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our CO Advocates and Shelters page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-204(2)(b)(IV)(A-C)
While a protection order is in effect, if the respondent possesses (or attempts to possess) a firearm or ammunition, s/he has committed the crime of violation of a protection order, a class 2 misdemeanor. Note: It can be a class 1 misdemeanor if:
this is the respondent’s second (or third, fourth, etc.) conviction for the crime of violation of a protection order; or
the protection order was issued at arraignment in a criminal case and ordered the defendant not to harass, intimidate, retaliate against, or tamper with any witness to, or victim of, the acts charged.1
The punishment for a class 2 misdemeanor is between 3 to 12 months imprisonment, a fine of between $250 and $1,000, or both. The punishment for a class 1 misdemeanor is between 6 to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of between $500 and $5,000, or both.2
If someone who was convicted of a felony (or attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony) is in possession of a firearm, it can be a class 5 or 6 felony depending on the underlying felony conviction, the length of time since that felony conviction, and other factors.3 The punishment for a class 5 felony is between 1 and 3 years, a fine of between $1,000 and $100,000, or both. The punishment for a class 6 felony is between 1 and 1.5 years, a fine of between $1,000 and $100,000, or both.4
Also, anyone who has or buys a gun in violation of the federal firearm law can be punished by a fine, jail time for up to 10 years, or both.5 For more information, see our Federal Gun Laws page.
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-6-803.5; 18-1-1001(1)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-501(1)(a)
3 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108
4 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401(1)(a)(V)(A), (1)(a)(III)(A)
5 18 USC § 924(a)(2)
If there is a provision in your protection order that says that the abuser has to surrender his/her guns, the guns could be kept by the sheriff department in his/her county, or in some cases, law enforcement will allow the abuser to leave the guns with a friend or relative while the protection order is in effect. If the abuser’s gun is taken by the police because it was used in a crime, it will be sold or destroyed.1
If you are not sure where the abuser’s gun is and you think that the abuser could have access to it, it is a good idea to consider making a safety plan. See our Safety Tips page to learn more about how to increase your safety. You can also contact a local domestic violence organization for additional help. Visit our CO Advocates and Shelters page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
1 C.R.S.A. § 16-13-311
Maybe. If the abuser is a law enforcement officer, military employee or government official, then s/he might be able to continue to use his/her gun for work purposes, but not for personal use.
However, if the abuser has been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor, then under federal law, the abuser cannot buy or have a gun, even if s/he is a police officer or a military employee.1
If you are confused or not sure whether your abuser can still use a gun for work purposes, you can talk to a domestic violence advocate in your area or call the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit to find out more information: 1-800-903-0111 x 2.
To find a domestic violence advocate in your area, please go to our CO Advocates and Shelters page.
You can contact a local domestic violence organization in your area - see our CO Advocates and Shelters page.