Arvada municipal code on open carry
Sec. 62-71. - Open carry of firearms prohibited.
(a)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Firearm means any handgun, automatic, revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, or other instrument or device capable of or intended to be capable of discharging bullets, cartridges, or other explosive devices.
Public building means any structure, facility, site, or area that is owned, operated, or leased by the city.
Specific area means:
(1)
All recreational facilities and sports complexes located within the city and owned, operated, or leased by either the city or the North Jeffco Park and Recreation District including, but not limited to, swimming pools, tennis courts, ice rinks, skate parks, basketball courts, pedestrian and bicycle paths, green belts, golf courses, picnic facilities, lawns, gardens, parks, trails, or open space; or
(2)
Arvada/Blunn Reservoir, including the lake, dam, spillways, appurtenances, and city-owned lands surrounding the reservoir.
(b)
Carrying firearm. All firearms must be carried in such a manner so as to be completely concealed from the view of another. Any firearm carried in such a manner as to be visible in whole or in part and for any length of time to another shall be deemed to be open or openly carried.
(c)
Openly carry. It shall be unlawful for any person to open or openly carry any firearm in or upon any public building or specific area within the city.
(d)
Exception. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the carrying of any firearm except in accordance with state and federal law.
(e)
Authorized persons. Nothing in this section shall be construed to forbid any peace officer or other city employee duly authorized to carry a firearm from carrying or wearing such firearms as may be necessary in the proper discharge of his duties. Nothing in this section shall be construed to forbid the employee of any armored car service agency providing money transport services pursuant to a contractual arrangement with the city or the North Jeffco Park and Recreation District from carrying or wearing such firearms as may be necessary in the proper discharge of his duties, so long as the employee has been duly authorized by his employer to carry a firearm and he is acting within the course of his employment at the time the firearm is being carried or worn.
(f)
Concealed permit. Possession of a valid concealed carry permit shall not constitute a defense to a charge of openly carrying a firearm where prohibited.
(g)
Violation. Any person violating subsection (c) of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine, or imprisoned, or both, not to exceed the limits established in section 1-5.
(Code 1981, § 21-38; Ord. No. 3812, § 1, 6-16-2003)
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Obviously, the discrepancy between 'b' and 'c' is problematic. If I open carry in Arvada, the cops can surely cite me for violations of 62-71(b). I could argue and point to section (c), since it seems to IMPLY that only pubic buildings/specific areas are off limits for OC, but the ambiguity seems sufficient for the cops to arrest me anyway.
Now, it may be that the Supreme Court decision renders this action erroneous (I don't know enough about that case, having just moved here, to speculate), but that's not going to do me much good as I sit, handcuffed, in the back of a cruiser. Based on my read, it would require a legal challenge to undo what was done.
Thus, the folks in this thread who are blithely "guaranteeing" that open carry is fine everywhere but Denver - and explicitly that OC in Arvada is okey-dokey based on the fact that they're not (yet) been arrested - seem to me to be way off base. As mentioned earlier in the thread, perhaps those true believers would be willing to establish a legal defense fund if they are so certain. As for me, I'll avoid patronizing businesses in Arvada, which sucks because it's right next door to me, being in Westminster.