- Fax: 720-918-2906
- 11990 Grant Street, Suite 550, Northglenn, CO 80233
Denver Weapons Defense: Protect Your Freedom & Future
Former Prosecutor Defends Against All Weapons Charges
Free Consultation Call 24/7
720-209-1469
Weapons Charges Can Destroy Your Life
Don’t Face These Complex Cases Alone
Weapons charges in Colorado—whether involving firearms, knives, or everyday objects—carry devastating consequences that extend far beyond fines and jail time. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can destroy career opportunities, housing prospects, and professional licenses. From a simple misdemeanor for possessing a switchblade to serious felony charges involving firearms, these cases demand experienced legal representation that understands both the law and the prosecutors who enforce it.
As a former Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted weapons cases in Adams County, Attorney Lori Beck knows exactly how prosecutors build these cases against you—regardless of the weapon involved. Her insider knowledge of prosecution tactics, combined with 24+ years of criminal defense experience, gives you the strategic advantage needed to protect your rights and preserve your future.
What Should You Do If You're Facing Weapons Charges?
🛑 Take Immediate Steps to Protect Yourself 🛑
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
Don’t explain yourself to police without an attorney present. Even innocent explanations can be misinterpreted as admissions of guilt.
Don’t Consent to Searches
You have the right to refuse consent to searches. Make it clear you do not consent, even if officers proceed anyway.
Document Everything
Write down everything you remember about your arrest and the circumstances. This information can be crucial for building your defense.
Contact Experienced Defense Counsel Immediately
Weapons charges require specialized knowledge. Prosecutors begin building their case from the moment of arrest—don’t wait to get representation.
How Do We Defend Against Different Types of Weapons Charges?
What Makes Our Defense Strategy Different?
Understanding Colorado's weapons laws requires recognizing that virtually any object can become a "weapon" under the right circumstances. A baseball bat is legal until it's used to threaten someone. A kitchen knife is perfectly normal until it's carried with intent to intimidate. Even legal firearms can result in criminal charges based on where they're possessed or how they're used.
... more about our weapons charges defense strategy
Our Strategic Advantage: As a former prosecutor, Attorney Lori Beck knows prosecutors often overcharge cases or misapply weapon classifications. We force them to prove every element of their case while building defenses that expose weaknesses in their evidence and legal theory.
How Do We Fight Possession of Illegal Weapons?
Colorado prohibits certain weapons outright, making simple possession a criminal offense. These "illegal weapons" include switchblades, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and gas guns (except for law enforcement).
... more about how we fight illegal weapons posessions charges
The Prosecution’s Challenge: They must prove you knowingly possessed the prohibited weapon. Many cases involve situations where clients didn’t realize they had illegal items—like forgetting a switchblade was in their car or inheriting items without knowing their legal status.
Our Defense Strategy: We challenge knowledge requirements, examine whether items actually meet legal definitions of prohibited weapons, and investigate constitutional violations during searches. Often, what prosecutors call a “switchblade” doesn’t meet Colorado’s technical definition, or the search that found it violated your Fourth Amendment rights.
What About Dangerous Weapons Charges?
Colorado classifies certain weapons as "dangerous," making possession a felony. These include firearms with silencers, machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and ballistic knives.
... more about technical distinctions and weapons charges
Our Approach: We examine whether items actually qualify as “dangerous weapons” under Colorado’s specific legal definitions. Many cases involve technical distinctions that prosecutors misunderstand or misapply. We also challenge the evidence trail and investigate whether law enforcement followed proper procedures.
How Do We Defend Weapons-Related Enhancements?
Often, weapons charges accompany other crimes as "enhancements" that increase penalties. Colorado law treats certain objects as "deadly weapons" when used in connection with other offenses, even if the items are normally legal to possess.
... more about defencing weapons-related senence enhancements
Our Defense Strategy: We challenge whether everyday objects truly qualify as “deadly weapons” in the specific context of your case. Intent matters crucially here—carrying a hammer for work is different from carrying one to threaten someone. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances to demonstrate legitimate, innocent purposes.
What Are the Most Serious Weapons Charges We Defend?
How Do We Fight Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender (POWPO)?
This felony charge applies when someone with a prior felony conviction possesses any firearm. It’s one of Colorado’s most serious weapons offenses.
Our Defense Approach: We challenge actual possession by examining where the weapon was found and whether it was truly under your control. We also investigate the validity of underlying felony convictions and examine whether law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during arrest or search.
What About Prohibited Use of Weapons?
These charges apply when someone uses any weapon (not just firearms) while under the influence, recklessly, or in prohibited locations.
Our Strategy: We examine whether your use was truly “prohibited” under Colorado law and challenge evidence of impairment, recklessness, or intent. Often, what prosecutors call “prohibited use” was actually lawful self-defense or accidental contact without criminal intent. A brandishing a weapon charge (threat display) often turns on witness perception, distance, lighting, and context. We compare statements to video, highlight inconsistencies, and present lawful self-defense evidence where applicable.
How Do We Handle Concealed Carry Violations?
Colorado allows concealed carry with proper permits, but weapons are prohibited in certain locations. Even legal weapons can result in a carrying a concealed weapon charge if possessed in schools, government buildings, or other restricted areas.
Our Defense Strategy: We examine whether you were actually in a prohibited location, whether proper legal notice was given about restrictions, and whether the search that discovered the weapon was constitutional.
What Are the Real Consequences of Weapons Convictions?
How Convictions Impact Every Aspect of Your Life:
Criminal Record
All weapons convictions create permanent criminal records visible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards during background checks.
Career Destruction
Many employers automatically disqualify applicants with weapons convictions, especially for positions requiring security clearances, working with vulnerable populations, or handling sensitive information.
Professional License Threats
Doctors, lawyers, teachers, real estate agents, nurses, and other licensed professionals face license suspension or revocation following weapons convictions.
Housing Barriers
Many landlords conduct background checks and reject applicants with any weapons-related criminal history.
Firearm Rights
While not every client is concerned about gun ownership, felony weapons convictions permanently prohibit firearm possession under federal law.
Immigration Consequences
Non-citizens face deportation risks for certain weapons convictions. We coordinate with immigration attorneys when necessary to protect your status.
What Sets Our Weapons Defense Apart?
- Comprehensive Experience: From misdemeanor knife charges to federal firearms offenses, we’ve successfully defended every type of weapons case
- Constitutional Rights Focus: We aggressively protect all your rights while building the strongest possible defense
- Personal Attention: You work directly with Attorney Beck throughout your case
- 24/7 Availability: Legal emergencies don’t follow business hours—neither do we
- Transparent Pricing: Flat fee arrangements for most cases with clear, upfront costs
— Former Prosecutor Lori Beck —
You Need an Experienced Weapons Defense Attorney
Why Choose Beck Law for Your Weapons Defense?
The Former Prosecutor Advantage That Protects Your Future
As a Deputy District Attorney in Adams County from 2001-2006, Attorney Lori Beck prosecuted all types of weapons cases—from simple possession of illegal knives to complex firearms offenses. This experience provides critical advantages:
- Prosecution Insight: She knows which evidence prosecutors rely on most heavily and where their cases are weakest, regardless of the weapon involved.
- Investigation Knowledge: Having built these cases from the prosecutor's side, she knows which investigative steps police should take but often skip. We exploit these gaps to create reasonable doubt.
- Negotiation Leverage: Her reputation and relationships in Colorado courts often result in better plea negotiations and charge reductions across all types of weapons cases.
💼 "Lori helped me more than I had expected. Value definitely exceeded the dollar here." — Derick Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Frequently Asked Questions About Weapons Defense
Can I be charged if I didn't know the item was illegal?
Knowledge is often a required element for weapons charges. If you genuinely didn’t know you possessed an illegal item, this can be a complete defense. However, prosecutors will try to prove you “should have known,” so experienced legal representation is crucial.
What if the weapon was found in my car but wasn't mine?
Prosecutors must prove you actually possessed or controlled the weapon. If it belonged to someone else or you lacked knowledge of its presence, we can challenge possession requirements. These cases often succeed when we demonstrate reasonable doubt about ownership and control.
Can everyday objects really be considered weapons?
Yes, Colorado law is broad in defining weapons when used in connection with other crimes. However, context and intent matter crucially. We challenge these “improvised weapon” allegations by demonstrating legitimate, innocent purposes for possessing the items.
How do weapons charges affect my job?
This depends on your profession and the specific charges. Many employers conduct background checks, and some industries automatically disqualify applicants with weapons convictions. We work to minimize these consequences through charge reduction, dismissal, or record sealing when possible.
Can Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charges Be Dropped?
Can assault with a deadly weapon charges be dropped? It depends on the facts, evidence strength, and legal defenses. We pursue dismissals by challenging intent, “deadly weapon” classification, identification, and constitutional violations during the stop or search.
Your Freedom and Future Deserve Expert Defense
Weapons charges—whether involving firearms, knives, or everyday objects—attack your freedom while threatening your career, housing opportunities, and personal reputation. The prosecution has experienced attorneys and substantial resources building their case against you.
You need an equally skilled advocate who understands the system from both sides. Don’t trust your future to an attorney without specialized weapons defense experience across all types of charges.
Time is critical in all weapons cases—evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and prosecutors strengthen their cases with each passing day. Contact us immediately for a confidential consultation where we’ll review your situation and explain your options clearly and honestly.
Call a Former Prosecutor Ready to Fight for You 24/7
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We Look At The Law Differently
What Our Clients Say
Serving Denver and Throughout Colorado
Looking for a weapons charges lawyer in Denver? Attorney Lori Beck defends concealed carry violations, prohibited use, POWPO, and alleged assault with a deadly weapon cases across Colorado’s Front Range.
Counties Served: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld
Major Cities: Northglenn, Thornton, Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Lakewood, Littleton, Westminster, Arvada
Court Experience: We practice in municipal, state, and federal courts throughout Colorado, adapting our approach to each jurisdiction’s procedures and local tendencies.