As of midnight last night, it’s become the new Maryland. But unlike Maryland, perhaps Colorado can be turned around. Michael Bane offers this useful advice:
If you must travel through Denver and Boulder, I strongly suggest that ALL magazines of greater than 15 round capacity, including grandfathered magazines, be LOCKED IN A CASE! If stopped by law enforcement in the Denver/Boulder area, under NO CONDITION agree to a search of your car, the car’s trunk or any locked cases in your car or truck. Under NO CONDITION answer any questions about the content of the cases. If the heads of the IRS can take the Fifth in front of Congress, you can certainly do so with the local police. Under NO CONDITION leave a magazine with a capacity of greater than 15 rounds visible in your car or truck, or you’re fair game for a search. Be polite, but be firm…in the absence of probable cause, police can’t go on a fishing expedition in your car unless you let them.
RTWT. It’s a sad state of affairs, but until Colorado is freed, this is the protocol.
One of the highly effective coping mechanisms in California is simply disassembly when travelling through or temporarily possessing there. One would need to double check the exact wording of the CO law though to make sure that works as it does under California law.
-Gene
Its sad Colorado has fallen to the enemy. But there is a chance to reclaim it. If the recalls go through, and that’s followed up by a victory in 2014, it could be won back. We must fight, hard.
Victory won’t happen until this nonsense legislation is repealed, election victories don’t always mean victory.
But election victories will make vicotry by repeal far easier / possible.
Even in relatively gun-friendly states like our own (PA) I try not to place any evidence of gun ownership in sight in/on my car, if at all possible. Just part of my hard-learned belief that the less anyone knows about me, the better off I’ll be in any situation.
I was pretty much raised that way but the practical lesson in the firearms realm was driven home about 47 years ago when some cops saw a cartridge box on the seat of my truck parked in a field, so called for backup (!). When I returned to my truck and they couldn’t get anything on me, in their frustration they decided to take the opportunity to shove me around a little. I have never forgotten that.
If possible, the easiest solution is to avoid Colorado entirely. If they loose enough money, they might get it…but that’s doubtful.
“If stopped by law enforcement in the Denver/Boulder area, under NO CONDITION agree to a search of your car, the car’s trunk or any locked cases in your car or truck. Under NO CONDITION answer any questions about the content of the cases.”
Not just Colorado, and not just firearms. Folks, this has to be SOP when dealing with law enforcement at ALL TIMES. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER consent to any search. EVER. OF ANYTHING.
And answer no questions. Be polite, be respectful, but be firm and don’t give in. Don’t answer questions, and don’t give consent. Police will lie to you, attempt to bully you, threaten to get a warrant (I encourage them to do exactly that). Don’t budge. Be polite, but don’t budge.
“Sir, I won’t answer any questions aside from my identification, and no, sir, I will not consent to any search.” Those words would have prevented a great many of my clients from being in the office at all. Remember them.
Andy B. beat me to it. But on the advice of an LEO friend, never have anything visible that implies the possible presence of a gun. He has ripped apart cars because of 1 piece of lose brass.