Generally speaking, if you are not convicted of a crime involving the use of a firearm, an act of Domestic Violence, or a State or Federal felony offense, then the answer is “yes.” Federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm for those with domestic violence convictions.[6] Colorado and Federal law prohibit possession of a firearm for those with any felony convictions.[7][8] It is important to note that the definitions of a felony in Colorado and a felony under federal law are different. For instance, if you plead to a misdemeanor in Colorado, it is considered a felony under federal law for the purposes of firearm possession if the crime is punishable by more than a year in jail.[9] Assuming you do not plead to a crime involving the use of a gun, a felony, or a domestic violence offense, you have a right to have your gun returned once the case is concluded.
The controlling law for firearm forfeiture can be found in Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-110 and 16-13-311. C.R.S. 18-12-110 allows a court to order forfeiture of “any firearms which were used by a defendant during the course of a criminal episode” which resulted in a conviction “as an element of sentencing or as a condition of probation or of a deferred sentence.”.[10]
C.R.S. 16-13-311 allows a prosecutor to seek to have a firearm forfeited and destroyed if the prosecutor petitions the court and can show: (1) that the subject weapon is required by law to be destroyed; (2) the possession of the subject weapon is illegal; or (3) that the subject weapon is not properly the subject of a sale.[11]
Considering both statutes, a prosecutor must petition the court to have a weapon destroyed and show that the return of the firearm would be illegal or that destruction of the firearm is required by law. If the prosecutor fails to follow this procedure, the firearm should be returned. Assuming the person seeking the firearm does not have a felony or a domestic violence conviction, and assuming the person is otherwise permitted to use a firearm and that the firearm was not used as a part of a charge in which the person pleaded guilty, then the firearm should be returned once the case is completely resolved.
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out if you are eligible to have your gun rights reinstated, contact The Juba Law Office at 303-974-1080, or go online at JubaLawOffice.com to schedule a consultation with our firm.
[1] https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/#:~:text=A%20well%20regulated%20Militia%2C%20being,Arms%2C%20shall%20not%20be%20infringed.
[2] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/colorado-constitution-of-1876/co-const-art-ii-sect-13.html
[3] https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/597/20-843/
[4] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-12-108-5/
[5] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-12-108.html
[6] https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-18-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/18-usc-sect-922/
[7] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-12-108/
[8] https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-18-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/18-usc-sect-922/
[9] https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-18-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/18-usc-sect-922/
[10] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-12-110/
[11] https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-16-criminal-proceedings/co-rev-st-sect-16-13-311/
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