Fort Collins Weapons Crime Defense Attorney
Counterfeit Money Investigation Leads to Weapons Crime Charges

A man is charged with various weapons crime after police handled a counterfeit money investigation. Read more here.

There are many different weapons crimes that a person can be charged with in Fort Collins and Larimer County. Some commonly charged ones include Prohibited Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Unlawfully Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm. But, there are many others that often result as an additional charge after an investigation. That’s the case with two men who were the subject of a counterfeit money investigation. While the men are facing many different Forgery charges around the money issue, one man ended up with two weapons crime charges, including: Possession of a Defaced Firearm and Possession of a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon. Let’s take a look at these two weapons crime charges.

Larimer County Possessing a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon Lawyer: Definition of Illegal or Dangerous Weapon in Colorado

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Possessing a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon – C.R.S. 18-12-102 – is:

A person who knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon commits a class 5 felony. Each subsequent violation of this subsection (3) by the same person shall be a class 4 felony.

A person who knowingly possesses an illegal weapon commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

It’s important to know what Colorado law considers a dangerous or illegal weapon. The definition of these terms include:

As used in this section, the term “dangerous weapon” means a firearm silencer, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle, or ballistic knife.

As used in this section, the term “illegal weapon” means a blackjack, a gas gun, or metallic knuckles.

If was not specified whether the man would be facing the felony for possessing a dangerous weapon, or the class 1 misdemeanor for possessing the illegal weapon.

Possession of a Defaced Firearm Attorney in Loveland and Estes Park

In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Possession of a Defaced Firearm – C.R.S. 18-12-103 – is defined as:

A person commits a class 1 misdemeanor if he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a firearm, the manufacturer’s serial number of which, or other distinguishing number or identification mark, has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, except by normal wear and tear.

Basically, if law enforcement find a gun in your possession and that gun’s serial number has been messed with, you will be charged with this misdemeanor crime.


If you or someone you love has been charged with Possession of a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon, Possession of a Defaced Firearm, or any other Weapons crime, 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 a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley – Weld County. CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR GREELEY WEBSITE. Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Somchai Kongkamsri