Section 18-12-105.3 - Unlawful carrying of a firearm in government buildings - penalty - definitions - repeal(1) A person shall not knowingly carry a firearm, whether loaded or not loaded, in any of the following locations, including their adjacent parking areas: (a) On the property of or within any building in which:(I) The chambers, galleries, or offices of the general assembly, or either house thereof, are located;(II) A legislative hearing or meeting of the general assembly is being conducted; or(III) The official office of any member, officer, or employee of the general assembly is located;(b) Unless permitted by a local government, as described in subsection (4)(b) of this section, on the property or within any building in which:(I) The chambers or galleries of a local government's governing body are located;(II) A meeting of a local government's governing body is being conducted; or(III) The official office of any elected member of a local government's governing body or of the chief executive officer of a local government is located; or(c) A courthouse or any other building or portion of a building used for court proceedings.(2) This section does not apply to: (a) A peace officer carrying a firearm pursuant to the authority granted in section 16-2.5-101 (2); (b) A member of the United States armed forces or Colorado National Guard when engaged in the lawful discharge of the member's official duties;(c) Security personnel employed or retained by an entity that controls or operates a place described in this section and security personnel described in section 24-33.5-216.7 (5) while engaged in the security personnel's official duties;(d) Law enforcement personnel, defense counsel personnel, and court personnel carrying or possessing a firearm in the performance of their official duties as part of the lawful and common practices of a legal proceeding; and(e) A person who holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun or a temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to part 2 of this article 12 who is carrying a concealed handgun in the adjacent parking area of a location listed in subsection (1) of this section.(2.3)(a) On and before January 4, 2025, subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to a member of the general assembly.(b) This subsection (2.3) is repealed, effective January 5, 2025.(3) A person commits unlawful carrying of a firearm in a government building if the person violates subsection (1) of this section. Unlawful carrying of a firearm in a government building is a class 1 misdemeanor.(4)(a) This section does not prohibit a local government from enacting an ordinance, regulation, or other law pursuant to section 18-12-214 or 29-11.7-104 that prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in a specified place.(b) A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that permits a person to carry a firearm at place described in subsection (1)(b) of this section.(5) Nothing in this section prohibits a person from securely storing a firearm in a vehicle, as required by state law, that is at a location described in this section.(6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:(a) "Governing body" has the same meaning set forth in section 29-1-102.(b) "Local government" means any city, county, city and county, special district, or other political subdivision of this state, or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof.Added by 2024 Ch. 301,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024, app. to offenses committed on or after 7/1/2024.Section 7 of chapter 301 (SB 24-131), Session Laws of Colorado 2024, provides that the act adding this section applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2024.
For the legislative declaration in SB 24-131, see section 1 of chapter 301, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.