Colorado and Denver Sued Over Non-Resident Carry Restrictions
A new legal challenge targets Colorado and Denver over laws that effectively ban non-residents from carrying firearms within state and city boundaries. The lawsuit argues these restrictions conflict with constitutional protections and recent appellate decisions affirming carry rights. The case names specific jurisdictions that have enforced carry permit denials and reciprocity gaps affecting lawful gun owners traveling between states.
Key Details
The core issue: Non-residents attempting to obtain carry permits or reciprocal recognition of out-of-state permits face systematic rejection. Colorado and Denver enforce rules that create a practical ban on carry for visitors and travelers. Recent Second Amendment victories—particularly New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022)—have established that carry restrictions must survive strict scrutiny by demonstrating historical tradition. These jurisdictions offer no permit pathway for non-residents, unlike most other states.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
If you carry in another state and travel through Colorado or Denver, your permit is worthless. You face felony charges for transporting your firearm lawfully elsewhere—even in a locked vehicle. This creates a constitutional trap for interstate travelers and business professionals. The lawsuit directly challenges whether states can arbitrarily shut out non-residents from carry rights while granting permits to residents. A victory here could force Colorado to recognize reciprocal permits or establish a non-resident permit process. Gun owners who travel or relocate need clarity on which corridors remain hostile territory.
DownRange Analysis
Bruen changed the legal math. States can no longer justify blanket non-resident bans through vague public safety claims. They must point to historical precedent showing that founding-era governments excluded travelers from carry rights—and that evidence doesn't exist. Colorado and Denver face an uphill battle. The suit exposes how some jurisdictions weaponize permit systems to exclude entire classes of lawful carriers. Watch for the court's willingness to apply Bruen's historical test to reciprocity questions. This case could establish whether states must recognize valid out-of-state permits or lose the ability to deny non-resident carry entirely.
