Open/Concealed Carry (Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs: crime, attorney, luxury) - (CO) - City-Data Forum

jp22 · 07-14-2009, 08:21 AM

Hi, I was looking at openly carrying a firearm in Colorado Springs. I looked online for information but I could not find much of anything. I know that it is legal under Colorado Law and since I can not find anything saying otherwise I assume it is legal in Colorado Springs. People were OK with open carry in the town where I used to live, but how is it received by people in Colorado Springs? Thanks.

otowi · 07-14-2009, 10:24 AM

Open carry is legal in many places, but not all, and in the middle of a big city it might not go over that well - but up in the hills it is standard. Concealed requires a permit.

Some reading: Powered by Google Docs General open carry law, etc.
El Paso County Sheriff's Office - Concealed Handgun Permit
Concealed permit application process
El Paso County led state change on permits for concealed guns | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs) | Find Articles at BNET
Concealed permits in Colorado originated here.

reginhild · 07-31-2009, 10:25 AM

Generally open carry is not recommended as there can be legal issues if someone decides to press that they felt threatened by you. I do see guys in their cowboy getup regularly carrying blackpowder or old Colt style revolvers regularly in the Manitou Springs area - accepted there.

Concealed carry permits are not difficult to get as long as you don't have a criminal record. Take a class here and then apply at the El Paso County Sherriff office. Colorado Springs and El Paso County have an extremely high percentage of concealed carry permit holders. I heard at one time that one in eight people in El Paso County have a permit - makes for good crime deterrance. Unfortunately sometimes there are mistakes such as the drunk college student who was pounding on someones door at 1 am drunk (thinking it was his house) - time may not be correct, can't remember what the report said, but it was late at night.

Snikt · 03-08-2010, 06:26 PM

Does anyone know about Class 3 / NFA weapons in CO Springs? I have a form 4 in Florida, I assume I can just do a change of address when I move out to the springs? Some FAQs I saw on-line say CO doesn't have any laws against Class 3 items, but some cities and local areas do.

It's also currently registered to a trust, are trusts required to be filed with the state in Colorado? In Florida you can just keep the document yourself and not even file it with the state.

motoracer51 · 03-08-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snikt

Does anyone know about Class 3 / NFA weapons in CO Springs? I have a form 4 in Florida, I assume I can just do a change of address when I move out to the springs? Some FAQs I saw on-line say CO doesn't have any laws against Class 3 items, but some cities and local areas do.

It's also currently registered to a trust, are trusts required to be filed with the state in Colorado? In Florida you can just keep the document yourself and not even file it with the state.

My wife is an attorney practicing in Colorado who has drafted many trusts for Class 3 items. You do not have to register it with the state.

We also came from FL. Where did you come from?

Snikt · 03-08-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoracer51

My wife is an attorney practicing in Colorado who has drafted many trusts for Class 3 items. You do not have to register it with the state.

We also came from FL. Where did you come from?

I'm not moved yet, but I'm from Deland

motoracer51 · 03-09-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snikt

I'm not moved yet, but I'm from Deland

Cool. We were near Ft. Lauderdale.

Good to be out of that place!!

Terytee · 03-09-2010, 08:02 AM

It's not illegal, but I don't know if it would be worth the headaches it might cause here in the city.

I'm a gun owner also, but I think carrying a side arm openly while at a restaurant or coffee shop would invite a bit of ridicule and ire. I've never seen anyone walking around Colorado Springs with a sidearm on their belt unless they were law enforcement and I think it would cause more commotion that it's worth. That isn't to say that I think it's wrong, I think it's easier to get a concealed carry permitt and not have to deal with it.

Bob from down south · 03-09-2010, 01:46 PM

Open carry in general is a bad idea, IMHO.

Another big consideration (I used to teach firearms courses) is that an openly carried weapon is FAR more likely to be the object of an attempt to take and/or use it against you. The last thing you ever want to do is get into a wrestling match with some idiot that wants to grab your pistol and either run off with it or use it on you or someone else nearby. With a concealed weapon, the element of surprise is yours, and the weapon's presence isn't part of the situation until it's in your hands and ready to use. With open carry, anyone within 15-20 feet has the element of surprise unless you're purposefully vigilant.

Most police curricula include hours of training focused specifically on how to keep that pistol in the holster, including how to read the body language of a potential attacker and literal street-fight-to-the-death hand-to-hand combat with a weapon-grabber. A good uniformed cop has a close-in space he will (must, really) defend aggressively for that reason. With an openly-carried weapon, you do not have the luxury of any lack of awareness of your surroundings or to turn your back on people.

I think most people that carry openly are trying to be noticed or make a statement, and not necessarily a good one at that.

MMichelle · 03-09-2010, 02:05 PM

How odd. You will draw attention! I've lived in Colorado Springs for a long time. This is not the wild west. It's a civil community (far from perfect - but civil!!). Unless you are in costume, carring a gun would indicate you are going to rob or hurt someone. Don't be overly surprised if the police are called several times. Have your ID & paperwork ready!
Best wishes.