§ 18-12-114.5 — Secure firearm storage in a vehicle - penalty - definition

Colorado § 18-12-114.5

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 18: Criminal
• Art.: Offenses Relating to Firearms

Text

(1) (a)
A person shall not knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the
handgun is in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view,
including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's interior,
and the container is in any of the following:

(I) A locked vehicle;

(II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or

(III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.

(b) A person shall not knowingly leave a firearm that is not a handgun in an
unattended vehicle unless the firearm is in a locked hard-sided or locked soft-sided
container, including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's
interior, and the container is in any of the following:

(I) A locked vehicle;

(II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or

(III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.

(c) A firearm that is not a handgun that is stored in a soft-sided container
must have a locking device installed on the firearm while the firearm is stored in the
soft-sided container.

(d) For the purposes of this subsection (1), a locked glove compartment or
the locked center console of a vehicle is a locked hard-sided container.

(2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits unlawful
storage of a firearm in a vehicle. Unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil
infraction.

(3) This section does not apply to:

(a) Storing an antique firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921 (a)(16), as
amended;

(b) Storing a firearm that is a not a handgun in a vehicle that is being used for
farm or ranch operations that is on the person's private farm or ranch, including a
leased farm or ranch. As used in this subsection (3)(b), farm and ranch have the
same meanings as set forth in section 39-1-102.

(c) A person who lives in a vehicle or in a recreational vehicle, as defined in
section 24-32-902, in which the firearm is stored. A person who lives in a vehicle or
recreational vehicle must store firearms in the vehicle or recreational vehicle in
accordance with the storage requirement described in section 18-12-114.

(d) A peace officer;

(e) A person who holds a valid resident or out-of-state hunting license who is
engaged in lawful hunting activities;

(f) A person engaged in the instruction of hunter education courses and
outreach offered by the division of parks and wildlife; and

(g) An active member of the United States armed forces while on duty.

(4) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (1) of this section to store
a firearm in a locked hard-sided container, a person who is considered to have a
disability, as defined in 42 U.S.C. sec. 12102, who stores a firearm in a locked soft-sided container does not violate this section with respect to the storage of the
firearm that is in the locked soft-sided container.

(5) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, vehicle
has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-1-102.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (HB 24-1348), ch. 178, p. 968, � 1, effective January 1, 2025.