§ 18-12-102 CRS – Possessing a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon

What are dangerous and illegal weapons in Colorado?

Under § 18-12-102 of Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) it is a felony to possess certain dangerous weapons. The text of the statute reads:

(1) As used in this section, the term “dangerous weapon” means a firearm silencer, machine gun, machine gun conversion device, or short rifle.

(2) As used in this section, the term “illegal weapon” means a blackjack, gas gun, ballistic knife, or metallic knuckles.

(3) A person who knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon commits a class 5 felony.

(4) A person who knowingly possesses an illegal weapon commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

(5) It shall be an affirmative defense to the charge of possessing a dangerous weapon, or to the charge of possessing an illegal weapon, that the person so accused was a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of his duties, or that said person has a valid permit and license for possession of such weapon.

(You may legally own dangerous firearms as long as you have a federal tax stamp with an ATF.)

Possession of a dangerous weapon can land you in prison for up to 3 years.

18-12-102 C.R.S. also makes it a Colorado misdemeanor to knowingly possess an illegal weapon, meaning a:

• blackjack,
• gas gun,
• ballistic knife,
• metallic knuckles.

Possessing one of these weapons carries a possible sentence of up to 18 months in jail.

To help you better understand the Colorado crime of possession of a dangerous or illegal weapon, our Colorado criminal defense lawyers discuss the following, below:

• 1. What is a dangerous weapon in Colorado?
• 2. What is an illegal weapon in Colorado?
• 3. What are the penalties for possessing a dangerous weapon?
• 4. What are the penalties for possessing an illegal weapon?
• 5. What are some defenses?

1. What is a dangerous weapon in Colorado?

You violate 18-12-102 C.R.S. when you possess a dangerous weapon.

In Colorado, a “dangerous weapon” means any:

• firearm silencer,
• machine gun,
• short shotgun, or
• short rifle.¹

“Firearm silencer” means any instrument, attachment, weapon, or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol, or other firearm to be silent or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any such weapon.²

“Machine gun” means any firearm, whatever its size and usual designation, that shoots automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.³

“Short rifle” means a rifle having a barrel less than sixteen inches long or an overall length of fewer than twenty-six inches.⁴

“Short shotgun” means a shotgun having a barrel or barrels less than eighteen inches long or an overall length of fewer than twenty-six inches.⁵ This includes shotguns of normal length that have been sawed-off so that the barrel is less than eighteen inches.

A weapon does not need to be operable in order to be dangerous. You violate 18-12-102 C.R.S. if the weapon can be made operable with the addition of a readily replaceable part or quick repair.⁶

2. What is an illegal weapon in Colorado?

Colorado 18-12-102 C.R.S. makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly possess an illegal weapon, defined as any:

• blackjack,
• gas gun,
• ballistic knife, or
• metallic knuckles.

“Ballistic knife” means any knife that has a blade that is forcefully projected from the handle by means of a spring-loaded device or explosive charge.

“Blackjack” includes any billy, sand club, sandbag, or other hand-operated striking weapon 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.⁷

“Gas gun” means a device designed for projecting gas-filled projectiles that release their contents after having been projected from the device and includes projectiles designed for use in such a device.⁸

“Knowingly” does not mean that you knew that the weapon was illegal. It means that you didn’t know that you possessed it.⁹

Example: Andie, a teenager, is hanging out on the street smoking weed with her girlfriends when a police officer approaches. Unbeknownst to Andie, one of her friends slips a blackjack into her backpack. When the officer searches the girls, he finds the blackjack and charges Andie with possession of an illegal weapon. However, if she can create a reasonable doubt that she knew she had the blackjack, Andie should be found not guilty of the charges.

See our related article, Illegal Weapons in Colorado – 10 that you cannot have.

3. What are the penalties for possessing a dangerous weapon?

Possession of a dangerous weapon (a firearm silencer, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle, or ballistic knife) is a Colorado class 5 felony carrying: .

• 1-3 years in prison (with 2 years mandatory parole), and/or
• A fine of $1,000-$100,000.

4. What are the penalties for possessing an illegal weapon?

In Colorado, it is a Colorado class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly possess a blackjack, gas gun, or metallic knuckles.

Consequences of possessing one or more of these illegal weapons in Colorado can include:

• 6 – 18 months in jail, and/or
• A fine of $500-$5,000.

5. What are some defenses?

Common defenses to possession of a dangerous or illegal weapon include (but are not limited to):

• You didn’t know you possessed an illegal weapon;
• The weapon was not operable and could not easily be made so;
• The weapon was found during an illegal search and seizure;
• You were a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of your duties; or
• You held a valid permit and license for the possession of the weapon.

One of our Colorado criminal lawyers will respond promptly to discuss your case and help you start planning your best defense against Colorado weapon charges.

You can reach us through the form on this page, or by calling our Denver home office:

Colorado Legal Defense Group
4047 Tejon Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 222-0330

Arrested in Nevada? See our article about Nevada knife laws.

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