Denver's Weird Gun Laws and COlorado Laws

[Evergreen]

Hi, I am living in Bend, Oregon, but I don't really like the isolation of the area and I am planning maybe in a few months of moving to Colorado. What I would like to know first of all, is this whacky and unconstitutional gun laws I am reading about in Denver proper. It says something like "assault rifles", that is ARs, AKs and any gun that can contain a 30 round mag is illegal? What I don't get is, is it just the mags that are illegal or any gun that can accept a 30 round mag? Also, would my Saiga-12 be illegal in Denver? Especially, if I convert it and put a folding stock? What about NFA weapons? Can I conceal carry my handgun in Denver or any other place in Colorado with a Colorado handgun permit? Do most of the suburbs in Denver have the same laws as the rest of the state; that is, haven't inherited Denver's draconian gun laws?

Seeing how liberal of a city Denver is, I probably would want to avoid living there at all costs. However, if I ever have to travel through the city with my guns, I don't want to risk being arrested and incarcerated. How is the laws in Colorado SPrings compared to Denver? Which town would most people prefer living? I like city life, but also love the great outdoors and finding some good shooting ranges. I am kind of a city slicker/outdoorsy type mix. Personally, I thought Denver would be more conservative than Portland, but perhaps not the people running the government.

ANother question, which I asked in another thread is about the availability of shooting ranges in COlorado Springs/Denver areas. I would like a range that has at least 600 yards of shooting distance for my .308 rifle. Some people were saying lot of clubs rae closed to new members. Gosh, please tell me therea are some ranges not too far from the city (lets say within 60 min, preferably 30min), that are accepting new members.

I know Oregon is a liberal state, but the conservatives seem to have enough power to keep the gun laws very favorable. Personally, I love Oregon's gun laws and I am sad to lose them, but the grey weather of the west side and isolation of the east side is too much for me. Bend, is pretty place, but rather lonesome for single guy and I am not the most experienced shooter and I cannot find any good partners to shoot with. Also, the shooting ranges here in Bend are empty, there is never really anyone around to help. There are practically no gunsmiths who have knowledge in semi-auto military type rifles, such ARs and AKs. These are many of my rants of why I don't want to stick around in Bend. I would like to be in a place with more population, yet still has good sunny weather, like Denver or Colorado Springs.

I appreciate to hear the input from you Rocky Mountain folk. Thanks.

 

[zombienerd]

Man, I've been through Bend... I can't think of a better place to live Then again, I like the isolation

Lots of "open" firing ranges in your area, out in the badlands.

I can't help you with Colorado, but I just wanted to say that you shouldn't take Oregon for granted. The "state" isn't as liberal / leftist as you think... Portland is, sure, but the rest of the state bleeds red if you look at the breakdown from the last election by county.

Portland went blue, and the rest of the state was quite red

 

[Evergreen]

I am a single guy in my early 30s, sorry isolation isn't for me. I lived alone in the forest for 4 years and spend many other years living alone, its time to reach out and touch someone. Bend, is a ghost town, and, although gun laws are great, most gun enthusiasts here are hunters, not recreational shooters. I need a helping hand as I am not the most experienced shooter. Also, I just need a bit more of a social life.

When I am in my 50s-60s, older, grumpier, have a wife and set of kids, then I'll come back to Bend. Its really great when you want to be away from all humans. Since I am kind of a roughian, single and young, the yuppy crowd doesn't like me. I am not a snowboarder and don't enjoy spending all day at the mountain boarding and all night in bars getting drunk, afterwards. Therefore, I don't interact well with the snowboarder/ski bums in the area. Also, I am single and most people treat single guys here like they are from another planet. I didn't grow up here and attract lifelong friends from grade school, like many others. I am a conservative Christian and the libertarian vibe of Oregon isn't my cup of tea either. As much as I respect libertarians, I am more into religious communities who like to get involved with each other. Perhaps, I be best in the deep south, but I just cannot move that far and don't like the high crime rate there. Bend is either ultra liberal or ultra libertarian. Finally, I hate being in flat places, I need mountains.

Anyway, I don't want to ramble on the personal issues, but rather like to hear about my questions of Colorado. I did say I love ORegon's gun laws and open ranges (in the east side) and I know that the 30-40% of the state is red, which of course lives in about 80% of the state. LOL

 

[Golden_006]

It's not uncommon for American cities to have firearm restrictions and for them to make no sense whatsoever. Never been to CO. My guess would be you would have to drive far for range that's 600 yards long.

 

[everallm]

Looking on the bright side, assuming McDonald gets 2A incorporated then asinine "home rule" restrictions/laws like this go bye-bye

 

[Bailey Guns]

I think you'll find gun laws in Colorado are better than in Oregon. Yes, Denver has an "AWB". So what? Live somewhere else. The Denver law only applies to residents of the city and county of Denver.

You are free to travel through Denver with any firearms you please. We have a shall issue concealed carry law with very few restrictions on where carry is prohibited. No permit needed to carry concealed in your car anywhere in the state that carry is legal.

No waiting periods, no one-gun-per-month nonsense, insta-check for puchases. Colorado's permits are valid now in 30 states (including CO), I believe. No state mandated training curriculum for permits. Class III is OK. We have "stand your ground" and "make my day" laws.

Shooting is legal on public property such as BLM and Nat'l Forest lands.

In terms of ranges, I only know of one near Denver with 600 yds (there may be others...I just don't know). That's the Buffalo Creek Gun Club. About an hour SW of Denver in the mountains. Beautiful place and membership is cheap.

 

[Balrog]

Too many Californians have move to and ruined Colorado.

 

[Keb]

You might look at Grand Junction. The culture and low crime/traffic/liberals ratio is a lot better.

We have a 1400 yard range nearby.

 

[Evergreen]

As nice as towns like Grand Junction, Durango or even resorty Aspen may be, they are far too isolated and small for my tastes. Yes, I do dream one day being able to go into my backyard and start shooting my .308, but that just isn't going to happen anytime soon. I would imagine Grand Junciton and Durango or even more isolated and lonesome then Bend, Oregon is. Like I said, when I am older, meaner and more situated I will be happy to live in these smaller towns, assuming i Can still make a living with my business.

I think I am more or less stuck in the urban or sub-urban areas. THe places I am focusing on are Colorado Springs and Denver metro. So far from research I have done, it seems Colorado Springs is more friendly to younger single conservative guys whereas Denver is bit more liberal. But, I am just wanting to hear from people who live there, their opinions of my various quesitons. I may even consider living in between Denver and Col Springs, so I can get best of both worlds.

It seems Colorado Springs has more natural beauty around it and closerby; I do like living in beautiful places. Denver it seems is just a big city far from any natural beauty, like 1-2 hours from the mountains. I would also assume COl Springs has more shooting ranges in the area, am I right?

 

[dondavis3]

I lived in Denver when the gun laws were not so restrictive - I'd live in a different county if I moved back there.

But overall the state is wonderful about hunting nad shooting in general.

 

[Zundfolge]

The City/County of Denver is a small part of what we know as the "Denver Metro Area" ... aside from obnoxious gun laws, living within the City/County of Denver has other problems/expenses/annoyances so just live in one of the dozen or so other towns that make up the DMA and you'll be fine (I'm partial to the west and southwest suburbs).

I prefer living in The Springs over the DMA (weather is often better down here too). If forced to live in the DMA I think I'd live in Golden or Evergreen (or Littleton if I really had to be closer to central Denver).

 

[Mags]

Go about 450 miles further south to Albuquerque, I find Albuquerque to be one of the most gun friendly cities I have ever lived in.

 

[MountainBear]

I spent 15 months living outside Denver in the Lakewood/Golden area. I'm EXTREMELY happy to be back living in Bend. I know it can seem a bit isolated, but its difficult to go shooting in Denver unless you like short indoor ranges. Bend is great. Go over to Portland or Seattle once every couple months and enjoy the best of both worlds...

 

[X-Rap]

As nice as towns like Grand Junction, Durango or even resorty Aspen may be, they are far too isolated and small for my tastes. Yes, I do dream one day being able to go into my backyard and start shooting my .308, but that just isn't going to happen anytime soon. I would imagine Grand Junciton and Durango or even more isolated and lonesome then Bend, Oregon is. Like I said, when I am older, meaner and more situated I will be happy to live in these smaller towns, assuming i Can still make a living with my business.

Heck those places are rockin, if you think isolation try Maybell or Paradox.
Parachute and Rifle are the closest towns for me and there isn't much there either except easy access to the interstate and a pretty good gun store in Rifle.
As for Denver I just switch back to 10rd mags and carry on like normal when I go there.
Up until last yr when the State Police shot some crazy bugger outside the Govs. office it was legal to carry in the capital building. Now they have metal detectors.
I think you'd be surprised with GJ and Durango as far as a social life unless your crazy into that club livin.

 

[Evergreen]

Maybe I consider another small town if I thought the people were a bit more friendly and it was easier to meet people. Also, Bend doesn't have much in the terms of single ladies, but that is another topic that I won't get into in a gun board.

Bend, is kind of a yuppie elitist town, but also has its share of people who grew up here and managed to be blessed with lifelong friends. MountainBear I am not sure if you were born and raised here and managed to make lifelong friendships or if you are just anti-social and don't mind the isolation. Anyhow, maybe the town works for you, but I am not making it here. I won't lie, maybe I am a flawed person, but I had a way easier time finding shooting buddies, making friends and found people in POrtland way friendlier than here. THe yuppie elitist vibe and on the opposite end, the libertarian "mind-your-own-business" vibe doesn't work well for me. Not that I don't respect libertarians and their love for freedom or even yuppies with their fun, playboy lifestyles, but it ain't for me.

I am a social person and its not only been impossible to find a good gunsmith, but also to find any person who would want to go shooting at the range. I have been offered to do some coyote hunting, which I may reluctantly do, since it may help increase my gun skills. However, I am not a great fan of hunting dogs, not that I don't respect those who do.


I know Denver probably sucks as far as finding shooting ranges, but what about Colorado Springs? I was considering that. I know Durango and Grand Junction are way isolated. I doubt I could make it out there, I am into IT kinda work, I need some urban conveniences, just for my work, if nothing else.