1881 Colo. Sess. Laws 856

1881 Colo. Sess. Laws 856

Abstract

§ 1964: Prohibited the concealed carry of any pistol, Bowie-knife, dagger, or other deadly weapon. Violators punished by jail term no less than ten but not more than thirty days and fined not less than fifty but no more than one hundred dollars.

Summary

Carrying a concealed deadly weapon without authorization from local law enforcement is illegal and punishable as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $500, or both), with repeat offenses treated as felonies carrying harsher penalties. Law enforcement officers are exempt while on duty and are required to search and arrest suspected violators without a warrant; failure to do so can result in penalties for the officer. Confiscated weapons are forfeited and destroyed, and lower courts handle these cases with the option to appeal.

Law Text

1964. Carrying concealed weapons—penalty.—No person, unless authorized so to do by the chief of police of a city, mayor of a town or the sheriff of a county, shall use or carry concealed upon his person a revolver or pistol, bowie knife or dirk, slung shot, sword cane or dagger, sling shot, brass knuckles, or other deadly weapon. Any person who violates the foregoing provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for a period of not exceeding one year or by a fine of not more than Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person who has been once convicted hereunder shall for a second offense be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand ($1,000) Dollars or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not exceeding two (2) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The foregoing provisions hereof shall not apply to any sheriff, or deputy sheriff, constable, policeman or other peace officer while on duty within this State. It is hereby made the duty of all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, marshals and policemen to search without warrant all persons suspected of violating the provisions hereof and to arrest without warrant all persons violating the same and to bring them before the nearest justice of the peace or police magistrate for trial or preliminary examination for such offense. In case any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, marshal or policeman shall fail, neglect or refuse to search any person suspected of violating the provisions hereunder, upon the request of any reputable freeholder of the county, such officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction therefor shall be subject to a fine of not more than One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars. All firearms and concealed weapons within the meaning of this act which are confiscated by peace officers at the same time shall be forfeited to the county and be confiscated and destroyed. Justices of the peace within their respective counties and police magistrates within their respective cities or towns shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all cases arising under the provisions of this act, and appeals from their judgment shall lie to the County Court in the respective counties in the same manner as is now provided by law for appeals from judgment of justices of the peace in other cases of misdemeanor.