FPC Challenges Colorado's Nonresident Carry Restrictions in Federal Court
Firearms Policy Coalition filed a lawsuit against Colorado and the City of Denver over laws that effectively ban nonresidents from lawfully carrying handguns for self-defense. The suit targets restrictions that leave residents of 15 states and Washington, D.C., with no legal carry options in Denver. The filing marks FPC's latest pushback against state-level carry reciprocity gaps following post-Bruen Second Amendment litigation.
Key Details
- FPC targets both state of Colorado and City of Denver ordinances simultaneously
- The lawsuit impacts residents from at least 15 states plus D.C. visitors
- Current restrictions eliminate lawful self-defense carry pathways for nonresidents in Denver specifically
- Case follows pattern of FPC challenges to state carry restrictions nationwide
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
If you carry in multiple states or travel to Colorado, this case directly affects your ability to exercise Second Amendment rights across state lines. Denver's restrictions create a practical dead zone—visitors and nonresidents cannot legally carry even with valid permits from their home states. Unlike constitutional carry states that recognize visitor permits, Colorado's framework forces nonresident carriers to either disarm or break the law. The outcome could force Denver and Colorado to recognize nonresident permits or adopt permitless carry for all, expanding access for millions of Americans who travel for work, family, or recreation.
DownRange Analysis
Bruen established that carry restrictions must pass historical and constitutional scrutiny. Colorado and Denver's blanket nonresident bans lack historical grounding—states routinely recognized out-of-state carry in the founding era and through the 20th century. FPC's argument targets the arbitrary line between residents and nonresidents, which has no basis in original public meaning of the Second Amendment. Watch for Denver to claim local safety interests, but that defense crumbles under strict scrutiny. This case could force reciprocity recognition across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously if FPC wins. For now, nonresident Colorado visitors should confirm local restrictions before traveling armed.
