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Legal Information: Colorado

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
October 13, 2023

If the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can s/he keep or buy a gun?

According to Colorado state law, a person who has been convicted of certain crimes cannot get a permit to carry a concealed handgun.  The permit will be denied if:

  • s/he has been convicted of a felony, attempt to commit a felony, or conspiracy to commit a felony; or
  • s/he has been convicted of perjury related to information provided on a concealed handgun permit application.1

In addition, it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm if s/he is on probation after being convicted of a crime that involved domestic violence.  An exception can be made, however, for a defendant whose job requires the use of a firearm if the judge believes that the victim and his/her child would not be endangered and the gun is not stored in the defendant’s home.2

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun if s/he was convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor.  Go to the Federal Gun Laws page to get more information.

1 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-203(1)(c), (1)(d); 18-12-108
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-204(2)(b)(IV)