It has been said that there are enough civilian-owned firearms in the United States of American for every citizen, children included, to have one. Colorado is a hunter's and outdoor enthusiasts paradise and many homes have firearms.

Firearm sales have skyrocketed in the last year or so and many new gun owners need to know about their rights and responsibilities. Many circumstances could unwittingly cause a gun owner to unintentionally end up on the wrong side of the law.

There are many ways that a person can find themselves in legal challenges with a gun. The following are three common ways that gun owners can invertedly get into trouble:

1. Relying on a concealed carry license from another state:

Being a non-resident of Colorado and having a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license from another state can cause legal problems. These 17 states CCW licenses are not recognized in Colorado under reciprocity rules: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington.

2. Open carry in Denver County or government buildings

Open carry is legal everywhere in Colorado except for Denver County and government buildings where signs are posted prohibiting open carry.

3. Buying a firearm from a private seller without the proper steps

When purchasing a gun from a private seller, the seller must have a licensed dealer carry out a background check on their behalf. Then the seller must get the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s approval of the transfer.

When using a firearm, there are many ways to run into legal difficulties; Even just having a gun in your possession at the wrong time or in the wrong place can do it. If you are facing difficulties that arose from having a firearm illegally in your possession, learn more about your potential defense options today.