Prohibited Use of Weapons is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County for a number of different reasons. You can be charged with this crime for recklessly discharging a firearm or aiming a gun at a person. A Colorado man is currently being sought by law enforcement for that very reason. According to the report, the man was accused of firing shots from a moving car at oil workers and their equipment. The crew foreman followed the man’s car to get pictures of him along with the license plate of the car he was driving to hand over to law enforcement. The vehicle was not his, but the owner identified the driver and cooperated with the investigation. A warrant was issued for the man for numerous crimes, including: Felony Menacing, Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Driving Under Revocation, Reckless Endangerment and Prohibited Use of a Weapon.
Larimer County Prohibited Use of Weapons Lawyer: Definition of Prohibited Use of a Weapon
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Prohibited Use of Weapons – C.R.S. 18-12-106 – is:
(a) He knowingly and unlawfully aims a firearm at another person; or
(b) Recklessly or with criminal negligence he discharges a firearm or shoots a bow and arrow; or
(c) He knowingly sets a loaded gun, trap, or device designed to cause an explosion upon being tripped or approached, and leaves it unattended by a competent person immediately present; or
(d) The person has in his or her possession a firearm while the person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5). Possession of a permit issued under section 18-12-105.1, as it existed prior to its repeal, or possession of a permit or a temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to part 2 of this article is no defense to a violation of this subsection (1).
(e) He knowingly aims, swings, or throws a throwing star or nunchaku as defined in this paragraph (e) at another person, or he knowingly possesses a throwing star or nunchaku in a public place except for the purpose of presenting an authorized public demonstration or exhibition or pursuant to instruction in conjunction with an organized school or class. When transporting throwing stars or nunchaku for a public demonstration or exhibition or for a school or class, they shall be transported in a closed, nonaccessible container. For purposes of this paragraph (e), “nunchaku” means an instrument consisting of two sticks, clubs, bars, or rods to be used as handles, connected by a rope, cord, wire, or chain, which is in the design of a weapon used in connection with the practice of a system of self-defense, and “throwing star” means a disk having sharp radiating points or any disk-shaped bladed object which is hand-held and thrown and which is in the design of a weapon used in connection with the practice of a system of self-defense.
The man would likely be charged under subsections (a) and (b), though he may also be charged under (d) as the owner of the vehicle made statements that the man was intoxicated when he took her car with the gun.
Sentence for Prohibited Use of Weapons in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Prohibited Use of Weapons is a class 2 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by a sentence to the Larimer County Jail and fines. Though, for the man above, this charge will not likely be his biggest worry as he facing multiple felony charges as well.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Prohibited Use of Weapons, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free initial consultation today. Together, we can protect your future.
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