Brandishing came up in class again this week and as far as I can tell has no statute in Colorado like some other states. What we do have is Disorderly conduct and Menacing. Both of the statutes can get you in trouble, let’s look at the whole picture.
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Brandishing In Colorado
Brandishment as a crime requires bringing the weapon to a ready state with the intent to threaten or intimidate. Brandishing a weapon is pulling it out and waving it around. If you never touch your gun, never remove it from its holster, it’s probably not brandishment. Intimidation caused by a displayed weapon that is not “brandished” is incidental. The person intimidated by the display of a holstered weapon has no reasonable cause to assume that the weapon will be drawn and used in their presence, much less against them.
If Your Gonna Draw Your Firearm
If you’re gonna either draw or show in a confrontation, you’d better be ready to use it and be able to justify it. You also need to be the first person to talk to 911 and explain the circumstances. All too often the attacker makes the call first and tries to make a case against a law-abiding citizen. Once you have been accused of a crime you are on the defensive. You must now prove you did right under the law. Be the one on the offense make the call first and describe the incident so that you are in the clear. Let’s look at our two statutes in Colorado
CRS §18-9-106. Disorderly conduct
(1) A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
(f) Not being a peace officer, displays a deadly weapon, displays any article used or fashioned in a manner to cause a person to reasonably believe that the article is a deadly weapon, or represents verbally or otherwise that he or she is armed with a deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm.
(3) An offense under(1)(f) of this section is a class 2 misdemeanor.
CRS §18-3-206. Menacing
(1) A person commits the crime of menacing if, by any threat or physical action, he or she knowingly places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Menacing is a class 3 misdemeanor, but, it is a class 5 felony if committed:
(a) By the use of a deadly weapon or any article used or fashioned in a manner to cause a person to reasonably believe that the article is a deadly weapon; or
(b) By the person representing verbally or otherwise that he or she is armed with a deadly weapon.
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Armed citizens have to be situationally aware of their surroundings at all times. They also need to be legally aware of what they are partaking in. When the wise ones say that it’s a huge responsibility, they’re right it is. You as a legally armed citizen need to know how to articulate the circumstances of the situation to law enforcement so that they know you have handled yourself in a proper manner.
If you are interested in finding out more about these topics and others contact me and I can recommend the appropriate training. Training fees are sometimes discounted for current or renewal Concealed Handgun Permit Holders that wish to get a refresher course, or for the Military. Get The Facts
Contact me by phone 719.821.3958 or email me rick@havegunwilltraincolorado.com
NONE OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT A QUALIFIED ATTORNEY BEFORE RELYING UPON THE ABOVE INFORMATION IN ANY WAY.