CO gun storage in vehicle going forward

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

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.