I have a road trip in just under a month, I have both an Oregon and Utah permit which from my understanding, covers all the states I’m traveling through except two…
Colorado and New Mexico.
2 pistols I have planned for my carry on this trip and for what I understand, I will need to unload and lock up for approximately 470 miles of the trip.
The concern I have, Colorado has a ban on greater than 15rd magazines.
One of the pistols, standard capacity is 15, the other is 30.
It is illegal to travel through Colorado with a 30-round AR-15 magazine if you are not exempt from the state’s large-capacity magazine ban. Colorado law prohibits the possession of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds, with limited exceptions. New Mexico, however, has no such restrictions on magazine capacity.
Colorado:
Colorado law prohibits the sale, transfer, and possession of large-capacity magazines, defined as those holding more than 15 rounds for firearms other than shotguns.
This law applies to magazines designed to hold more than 15 rounds, and a 30-round magazine falls under this definition.
There are exceptions for individuals who owned such magazines before July 1, 2013, and have maintained continuous possession, but these exceptions are unlikely to apply to someone transporting a magazine through the state.
Violating this law is a misdemeanor, and it can be a felony if the magazine is possessed during the commission of a felony or crime of violence.
New Mexico:
New Mexico does not have any laws restricting magazine capacity.
Therefore, it is legal to travel through New Mexico with a 30-round AR-15 magazine.
Federal law allows individuals to transport firearms and magazines across state lines as long as they are legally allowed to possess them in both the state of origin and the destination.
While Colorado has a state-level ban on large-capacity magazines, some cities or counties may have additional or stricter regulations. It’s advisable to check for any local ordinances that might apply.
Even when legal, magazines must be transported in a manner that complies with federal and state laws, typically unloaded and stored securely.
In summary, while you can legally transport a 30-round magazine through New Mexico, you would be violating Colorado law if you do so with that magazine in your possession
IDK. However, even if you are traveling thru a state who’s laws limit your mag capacity, even if that mag is empty and locked up, no, do not bring that mag with you at all.
There is another way, get a mag with the legal capacity, or bring a different caliber of which you have the legal capacity, or as I think you found, find another route, avoiding the non friendly state.
