Visting Colorado

[MTT TL]

I will be visiting Colorado next month and wanted to make sure I don't run afoul of their magazine capacity restriction laws. I can't find anything that prohibits possession for out of state visitors of magazine greater than 15 rounds.

Does such a law exist?

[Brian Pfleuger]

The law in question would be C.R.S. 18-12-302 (1) (a):

Except as otherwise provided in this section, on and after July 1, 2013, a person who sells, transfers, or possesses a large-capacity magazine commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

The "as otherwise provided" is

The offense described in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:
(a) An entity, or any employee thereof engaged in his or her employment duties, that manufactures large-capacity magazines within Colorado exclusively for transfer to, or any licensed gun dealer, as defined in section 18-12-506 (6), or any employee thereof engaged in his or her official employment duties, that sells large-capacity magazines exclusively to:
(I) A branch of the armed forces of the United States;
(II) A department, agency, or political subdivision of the state of Colorado, or of any other state, or of the United States government;
(III) A firearms retailer for the purpose of firearms sales conducted outside the state;
(IV) A foreign national government that has been approved for such transfers by the United States government; or
(V) An out-of-state transferee who may legally possess a large-capacity magazine
(b) An employee of any of the following agencies who bears a firearm in the course of his or her official duties:
(I) A branch of the armed forces of the United States; or
(II) A department, agency, or political subdivision of the state of Colorado, or of any other state, or of the United States government; or
(c) A person who possesses the magazine for the sole purpose of transporting the magazine to an out-of-state entity on behalf of a manufacturer of large-capacity magazines within Colorado.

I can't find a definition of "out of state transferee"... if I had to guess, it means you came here to buy it from someone in state and are leaving with it?

If it were me, I'd rather buy a 15 round magazine than a lawyer to cover my "test case" to see if I'm right.

Give me a holler if you're in the area... we'll grab lunch or something.

[DockRock]

While there has effectively been no enforcement of the law and many sheriffs have gone on the record opposing it, you don't want to be the guy who gets nailed.

[MTT TL]

I think for the two extra rounds that they will provide maybe the risk is not worth the reward.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by MTT TL

I think for the two extra rounds that they will provide maybe the risk is not worth the reward.

I would certainly concur in that assessment.