A new state law in Colorado, effective January 1, mandates that handguns kept in vehicles must be properly secured, changing how gun owners transport their firearms. The law, HB24-1348, aims to reduce the theft of firearms from vehicles, a growing issue in the state. According to the Denver Police Department, a large percentage of stolen guns are taken from cars. In 2023, out of 1,221 stolen guns, 846 were taken from vehicles, with 61% of them stolen without the vehicle itself being taken.
The law requires that handguns in unattended vehicles be stored in a locked, hard-sided container that is placed out of sight. The vehicle must be locked, and if the firearm is in the trunk, both the vehicle and the trunk must be locked. If the gun is stored in a soft-sided container, a locking device must be installed on the firearm itself.
There are exceptions to this law for antique guns, firearms in vehicles used for farm or ranch operations, people living in their vehicles, law enforcement and military personnel, and certain hunting-related activities.
Violating the new storage requirements will be considered a civil infraction.
Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gabriel Moltrer explains that the law is intended to deter gun thefts. “Even if one firearm is stolen, it’s a concern because it should have been locked up and kept in your possession,” Moltrer said. He warned that stolen firearms could end up being used in crimes, putting both lives and public safety at risk.
If a handgun is stolen, Moltrer advises gun owners to immediately report the theft to local authorities, providing the gun’s serial number and details on where it was taken.
