CO gun storage in vehicle going forward

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Edit not sure why this got moved out of general discussion to the firearms section as it inevitably will deal with politics, laws, etc and not just firearm discussion.


Do we have a thread on one of the latest annoying/stupid gun laws in CO that may affect many folks on this forum coming to hunt? It requires you have guns locked in a case, locked in a vehicle when unattended. There is an exemption for hunting but to what degree does that extend? If you are a non-resident in the state for a hunt does that cover the duration of your visit in the state? Parked at a trailhead while hunting? What exactly does this exemption mean:
"A PERSON WHO HOLDS A VALID RESIDENT OR OUT-OF-STATEHUNTING LICENSE WHO IS ENGAGED IN LAWFUL HUNTING ACTIVITIES"

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2024a_1348_signed.pdf

I realize they were targeting concealed carry folks dealing with ONE handgun most likely. But if going shooting with a stack of guns in the truck and you walk into a gas station have you left them unattended? What exactly does this new stupid law mean?




Mind you these same legislators voted AGAINST increasing the penalties on folks who steal guns and are in possession of stolen weapons when that was proposed. They don't care about gun crime, they care about making gun ownership a pain in the ass and turn previously law abiding gun owners into criminals where they accidentally fail to jump through the growing number of hoops.

 

[elkivory]

If you are traveling to Colorado for an otc hunt and have not bought a license yet, then all this BS appears to apply. I have a second home in Colorado and carry guns to and from on almost every trip. If I read it right, all have to be locked in a hard case or gun locked inside soft case. I do carry most in a soft case inside crew cab out of view .

 

[5MilesBack]

On a slightly different twist.......what is considered an OHV? I have a buddy that was in his Cherokee on a back road and the warden stopped him. He checked his rifle and said "You're in violation, your magazine is loaded". My buddy replied "that's legal, I just can't have one in the chamber". The warden replied "Your Jeep becomes an OHV once you leave the highway and is now under OHV rules". What the heck? If that's the case, then that would also mean that bows and rifles would also have to be inside an enclosed case. He didn't give my buddy a ticket but this warden is wrong.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

It's designed to hurt. It's vary ambiguous, same as Ca. laws.

 

[dsotm]

Commies gonna commie

 

[elkivory]

Right now on some of our day trips in forest, we carry multiple long guns and pistols in jeep/side by side for practice/fun with guns. Looks like that is going to be more difficult.

 

[Rotnguns]

Sounds like a very foolish law, but the risk-reward ratio does not support violating it. Probably best just to get cheap lockable cases; maybe a single large locked box?

 

[cnelk]

On a slightly different twist.......what is considered an OHV? I have a buddy that was in his Cherokee on a back road and the warden stopped him. He checked his rifle and said "You're in violation, your magazine is loaded". My buddy replied "that's legal, I just can't have one in the chamber". The warden replied "Your Jeep becomes an OHV once you leave the highway and is now under OHV rules". What the heck? If that's the case, then that would also mean that bows and rifles would also have to be inside an enclosed case. He didn't give my buddy a ticket but this warden is wrong.

Nope. The warden is correct.
The Jeep needs an OHV permit. And OHV gun rules are different than Hwy vehicle rules

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Right now on some of our day trips in forest, we carry multiple long guns and pistols in jeep/side by side for practice/fun with guns. Looks like that is going to be more difficult.

Right, when I drive over an hour to go shooting I bring numerous guns. Or a longer hunt that might have big game, grouse, etc. Sounds like I need a pile of locks for cases now.

Also since the law is completely vague what is "locked"? Does every locking hasp need a lock like when flying? Does it need to be a metal lock or do zipties count since its not readily accessible (that counts as locked in other situations). What the hell does this law even require in clear detail to comply??? And what are the exemptions in clear detail?

Sounds like a very foolish law, but the risk-reward ratio does not support violating it. Probably best just to get cheap lockable cases; maybe a single large locked box?

Yes its dumb law that isn't well published and is vague and will have MANY folks inadvertently violating it. I don't readily see a single large lockable case being practical if bringing half dozen long guns along for instance.

 

[TaperPin]

Since this is Colorado, would anyone be surprised if the band of idiots adds caliber restrictions to the exemption based on type of hunting license, day of week, or phase of the moon? Lol

 

[tdhanses]

Nope. The warden is correct.
The Jeep needs an OHV permit. And OHV gun rules are different than Hwy vehicle rules

So would that also apply to a pickup? I had always thought any vehicle licensed for street use was exempt from OHV permits, such as a street legal dual sport dirt bike.

 

[svivian]

So would that also apply to a pickup?

Any vehicle that is on an OHV trail/road...

 

[tdhanses]

Any vehicle that is on an OHV trail/road...

View attachment 797479

Yeah that specifically states “Off-Highway” meaning not street legal.

Oh wow, it does included plated vehicles and bikes, that’s crazy.

On another note I own a property within an LOA in CO and no motorcycles, atv’s or sxs are allowed on the roads even if street legal. This is an LOA rule.

 

[wind gypsy]

Any vehicle that is on an OHV trail/road...

View attachment 797479

What is an OHV road? I don't get it.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Any vehicle that is on an OHV trail/road...

I believe it needs to be a "jeep trail" (not a road) or OHV use area for a plated motor vehicle to be allowed and require a sticker. I don't think forest roads / BLM roads require a sticker for a plated motor vehicle.

The OHV distinction that was mentioned earlier doesn't start when you leave a "highway" that is ridiculous.

 

[cnelk]

What is an OHV road? I don't get it.

Its a road that game wardens travel in their pickups to give tickets to people in other pickups

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

What is an OHV road? I don't get it.

• Roads open to OHVs means federal roads specifically open (through MVUM or RTMP) to OHV use or state, county, or municipal open to OHV use through ordinance and signage.
• Jeep trails means trails as noted by MVUM or RTMP as being open to full sized vehicles and labeled as trails and specifically not as roads.
• Side by Side trails mean trails noted on MVUM or RTMP as trails open to vehicles with a maximum width of 64 inches but closed to Full Size Vehicles.
• ATV trails mean trails as noted on MVUM or RTMP as trails open to vehicles with a maximum width of 50 inces but closed to Full Side Vehicles and Side by Sides greater then 50 inches.
• Motorized Single Track means trails designed for 2 wheeled vehicles where both wheels travel in the same track such as dirt bikes or mountain bikes.
• Colorado does not currently have a program that allows licensing (i.e., license plates) of ATVs and Side-by-Sides (UTVs) for highway use. There are some cities and counties in the state that DO allow OHV use on public roads.

Registration and Permits | Stay The Trail

staythetrail.org

 

[Mountainrancher]

I carry a rifle in my pickup every single day. Looks like doing so after Jan 1 makes me a criminal. Man I hate the morons in this state

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I carry a rifle in my pickup every single day. Looks like doing so after Jan 1 makes me a criminal. Man I hate the morons in this state

You can put it into a soft sided case with the zipper pulls locked together and be compliant, never mind that doesn't stop any thief from running off with that case and easily cutting it open. I don't know about you but I feel SO MUCH SAFER now.

I am not a party line voter but the polis lackies in this state have really pissed me off. 100% of the senate democrats and nearly all democrats in the house voted against stiffer penalties for stealing a gun and possession of a stolen gun. Their hypocrisy (and transparent attacks against legal gun owners alone) is obnoxious.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

OHV roads/trails are paid for and maintained by the BLM or Forrest service. Fees paid by vehicle registration does not go towards those costs. OHV permits are supposed to supplement the cost.

Never said it was enforced. Just pointing out that @cnelk was correct per CPW.

But a point of clarification is I don't believe all BLM and forest service roads are "jeep trails" requiring a plated motor vehicle to have a sticker.