Denver residents find themselves facing a stern reminder after a series of thefts involving firearms left in vehicles: lock it up or pay up. The Denver Police Department reported two recent incidents where handguns were stolen from parked cars, one on N. Wyandot Street and another on N. Hudson Street, prompting law enforcement officials to emphasize the legal necessity of properly securing firearms in unattended vehicles.
This call to action isn’t just about community safety; it stems from House Bill 24-1348, which, as of January 1, is state law. The bill specifically addresses the issue of leaving handguns in unattended vehicles, unless they are stored securely in a locked, hard-sided container that is either not visible or is tucked away in a locked trunk. The Denver Police Department, in their social media post, offered an overview of the requirements that handguns be in a locked, hard-sided container out of sight or in the locked trunk, while other firearms must be in a locked container (hard- or soft-sided) out of view, adding that if using a soft-sided case, a locking device must be attached to the firearm…