The following is a video transcript.
Lindsay Richardson, Independent Program Attorney for U.S. LawShield, here to talk to you about possessing a firearm in a school zone. Generally speaking, possession of a firearm in a school zone is illegal under federal and state law, but let me break it down a little bit further.
SCHOOL ZONES: FEDERAL LAW VS. COLORADO LAW
Federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm in a school zone without a lawful concealed carry permit. Under federal law, you may possess a firearm in a school zone so long as you have a valid carry permit or license issued by the state in which the school zone is located. However, Colorado law cuts that back significantly.
Colorado law prohibits the possession of a firearm in a school zone for public elementary, middle, or high schools even with a valid in-state carry permit. The only exception to the general prohibition under Colorado law that you not possess a firearm in a school zone is if you have a valid concealed carry permit and if that firearm is locked in your car. That is the very narrow exception that permits you to have a firearm on public school sites.
PRIVATE PROPERTY MAY BE A DIFFERENT STORY
The question of whether or not you can carry a firearm on private property or at a private school is a little bit different. The best advice I can give you is to contact U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney to determine whether a particular private school allows the possession of a firearm with a valid concealed carry permit before you take that action.
If you make a mistake and you carry a firearm into a private school, which could include the grounds of the school, a church that has a school, or any other location that has a school housed within it, contact your Independent Program Attorney and we can help you determine whether or not that private property owner allows firearms on their property.
If you have any questions regarding carrying a firearm on educational property, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak with your Independent Program Attorney.
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