subject: When It Is Legal to Carry a Firearm [print this page] When It Is Legal to Carry a Firearm When It Is Legal to Carry a Firearm
As the founder of James Wollrab and Associates, attorney James Wollrab had more than 35 years' experience defending people's rights when it comes to DUIs, personal injury, firearms charges and bankruptcy. Here, Wollrab talks about when it is legal and illegal to carry a firearm in the state of Colorado.
If you need an attorney for any reason, including anything to do with the use of firearms, we are the Boulder law firm for you. I have years of prosecutorial and defense experience, which gives me the edge you need in the courtroom.
Reasonable Use of Weapons
In Colorado, it is against the law to carry a firearm without a license. And it is a crime to menace anyone with a weapon. That includes knives, clubs, firearms, chains, and sometimes just your hands. However, you can use a weapon to defend yourself, but the type of weapon and the use of the weapon must be reasonable to stop the threat of harm to yourself.
According to the law, you can use a degree of force in your own defense that is one degree higher than the force you are threatened with. If you are threatened with a club, for example, you can defend yourself with a knife. If you are threatened with a knife, you can defend yourself with a firearm. If you are threatened with fists, you can use a club to defend yourself.
Deadly Force
The prosecution cannot file charges for the death of an intruder in your home that's all there is to say about it. There used to be cowboys and Indians here in Colorado, so there is still a little bit of Western mentality here. They are now trying to discourage burglars from coming inside your home in any way possible.
If an intruder threatens and enters your home, you can use any force, including deadly force, and not be prosecuted for the death of the intruder.Ever watch any Dirty Harry movies? In one of the most famous movies, he had a line that said, "Make my day." This is called the "make my day" law. That is what the newspapers dubbed it when the prosecutors passed this law.
Let me take an example. I had a client who was confronted by an intruder. After being shot in the heart, the intruder turned around and ran from the home, and died just two blocks away. My client, in a panic, ran after him, picked him up and carried him back into his home, so when the police got there the intruder would actually be inside the home. After they investigated completely, they were satisfied that the injuries took place inside the home, although he did not die there. My client was a bit worried that the law would not cover him, but it did.
When you retain the services of our law firm, you know your case will always be in the most experienced hands. We put our experience into action for you and for every client, providing you with the kind of representation you need and deserve. Whether you are facing criminal charges or fighting for you in a personal injury case, we know what it takes to get you the best possible outcome.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
