Colorado law prohibits the knowing possession of the following 10 weapons (with some exceptions):
- 1. Machine guns
- 2. Submachine guns (SMGs)
- 3. Short shotguns
- 4. Short rifles
- 5. Gas guns
- 6. Firearm silencers
- 7. Destructive devices
- 8. Ballistic knives
- 9. Blackjacks
- 10. Metallic Knuckles
1. Machine guns
Machine guns shoot more than one shot automatically by a single trigger pull and without manual reloading.
Colorado state law classifies machine guns as “dangerous weapons“. Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, punishable by:
- 1 to 3 years in Colorado State Prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction of unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
However, you can legally own a machine gun as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the machine gun from the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives).1
2. Submachine guns (SMGs)
Submachine guns are like machine guns, except they use handgun ammo instead of rifle ammo.
Colorado state law classifies submachine guns as “dangerous weapons“. Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, carrying:
- 1 to 3 years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
However, you can legally own a submachine gun as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the SMG from the ATF.2
See our related article, Are submachine guns legal in Colorado?
3. Short shotguns
Short shotguns are shotguns with a barrel(s) less than 18 inches long or an overall length of less than 26 inches.
Colorado firearms law classifies short shotguns guns as “dangerous weapons“. Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, carrying:
- 1 to 3 years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
However, you can legally own a short shotgun as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the short shotgun from the ATF.3
Short-barreled shotguns are illegal in Colorado (unless you have an NFA stamp).
4. Short rifles
Short rifles are rifles with a barrel(s) less than 16 inches long or an overall length of less than 26 inches.
Colorado gun law classifies short rifles as “dangerous weapons.” Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, carrying:
- 1 to 3 years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
However, you can legally own a short rifle as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the short rifle from the ATF.4
5. Gas guns
Gas guns shoot projectiles by compressed air.
Colorado weapons law classifies gas guns as “illegal weapons.” Possession of an illegal weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor, carrying:
- 6 to 18 months in jail, and/or
- $500 to $5,000 in fines.5
6. Firearm silencers
Like they sound, firearm silencers muffle the noise that guns make.
Silencers are classified as “dangerous weapons” in Colorado. Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, carrying:
- 1 to 3 years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
However, you can legally own a silencer as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the silencer from the ATF.6
Metal knuckles are illegal weapons in Colorado.
7. Destructive devices
Colorado law makes it a felony to possess a bomb or other explosive or incendiary device. The specific penalties turn on the kind of device it is and your intentions.
Under federal law, you may lawfully possess a “destructive device” as long as you obtain an NFA tax stamp for the device from the ATF.7
8. Ballistic knives
Ballistic knives have blades that are forcefully projected from the handle through a spring-loaded device or explosive charge.
Ballistic knives are classified as “dangerous weapons” in Colorado. Possessing a dangerous weapon is a class 5 felony, carrying:
- 1 to 3 years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole), and/or
- $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
A subsequent conviction is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory parole), and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
Note that it is no longer a crime in Colorado to possess a switchblade knife or gravity knife.8
9. Blackjacks
Blackjacks comprise billies, sand clubs, sandbags, or other hand-operated striking weapons consisting, at the striking end, of an encased piece of lead or other heavy substance and, at the handle end, a strap or springy shaft which increases the force of impact.
Colorado weapons law classifies blackjacks as “illegal weapons.” Possession of an illegal weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor, carrying:
- 6 to 18 months in jail, and/or
- $500 to $5,000 in fines.9
10. Metallic knuckles
Metal knuckles are metal guards worn over your knuckles to increase the force of a punch.
Colorado weapons law classifies metal knuckles as “illegal weapons.” Possession of an illegal weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor, carrying:
- 6 to 18 months in jail, and/or
- $500 to $5,000 in fines.10
Facing criminal charges? Contact our Denver criminal defense lawyers for legal advice. We serve clients throughout the state of Colorado, including Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and more.
Our Denver criminal defense attorneys defend against all types of such weapons charges including carrying a concealed handgun without a valid permit, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, illegal discharge of a firearm, prohibited use of weapons, altering or removing a gun serial number, possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, disarming a law enforcement officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a defaced firearm. We also provide information on how to obtain a concealed carry permit for a concealed weapon.
Our Colorado criminal law firm also fights against all other misdemeanor and felony charges including DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol), domestic violence, sexual assault, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer, perjury, impersonating a peace officer, third degree assault, child abuse, and violation of a protection order in addition to weapons charges. We may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed based on such affirmative defenses as self-defense, entrapment, consent, or insanity.
Legal References
- Colorado Revised Statute 18-12-101. C.R.S. 18-12-102. 26 U.S.C. 5812, 5822 & 5845. See also People v. Tenorio, (1979), 590 P.2d 952.
- See note 1.
- See note 1.
- See note 1.
- CRS 18-12-101. CRS 18-12-102.
- See note 1. See also Miller v. District Court In and For Nineteenth Judicial Dist., (1977), 566 P.2d 1063, 193 Colo. 404.
- CRS 18-12-109. U.S.C. 5812, 5822 & 5845
- CRS 18-12-101. CRS 18-12-102. Senate Bill 8 (2017).
- See note 5.
- See note 5.
