NRA Challenges Denver's Nonresident Carry Prohibition
The NRA and Colorado State Shooting Association sued Denver over city ordinances that effectively ban out-of-state visitors from carrying handguns for personal protection. The lawsuit targets regulations that recognize Colorado's shall-issue permit system statewide but carve out Denver as a nonresident carry dead zone. Visitors with valid Colorado permits from other counties have no legal mechanism to carry in the city, despite being licensed to do so elsewhere in the state.
Key Details
Denver's carry restrictions create a patchwork: Colorado issues shall-issue permits valid statewide, but Denver municipal code effectively prohibits nonresidents from carrying concealed handguns within city limits. Residents can carry; visitors cannot. The city's rules apply regardless of whether an out-of-state visitor holds a valid concealed carry permit from their home state or a Colorado permit from another county. No reciprocal carry option exists for travelers passing through or conducting business in Denver.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
This case directly affects anyone traveling through Denver with a lawful carry permit. Colorado residents from other counties lose carry rights inside city limits—a constitutional gap that violates Bruen's text-and-history framework. Out-of-state permit holders face complete carry prohibition, even if their home state has constitutional carry or permitless carry laws. For competitive shooters, business travelers, and families visiting Denver, the lawsuit addresses whether municipalities can strip citizens of Second Amendment rights based on residency alone. If Denver prevails, expect other cities to adopt similar carve-outs, fragmenting carry rights across state lines.
DownRange Analysis
Denver's residency-based carry ban has weak legs under Bruen. The ordinance doesn't restrict carry based on criminal history, mental health, or concrete public safety data—it penalizes nonresidents arbitrarily. Colorado's statewide shall-issue system already vets permit holders; Denver's prohibition adds nothing to public safety and strips constitutional rights based on address. The CSSA and NRA are targeting a winnable case that could establish precedent against residency-based carry splits. Expect discovery to focus on Denver's denial of historical carry restrictions based on residency. This will likely end Denver's ban or force broader Colorado preemption of municipal carry laws. Gun owners traveling interstate should document their permit status; this ruling could affect your legal carry zone significantly.
