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If you keep a handgun in your vehicle, you may have to change how you store it under a new Colorado law that takes effect Jan. 1.

Starting in 2025, all handguns stored in unoccupied vehicles must be in locked, hard-sided containers, and they must be kept out of plain view. This includes RVs.

Other types of firearms that aren’t handguns must be stored similarly, but they can be kept in soft-sided containers as long as there’s a locking device on the firearm.

There are some exceptions to this new law related to farming and ranch work environments, hunting, antique firearms, people with disabilities, people who live in RVs, law enforcement officers and members of the armed forces.

Unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle may result in a fine, according to the signed bill.

More: Here are 5 new Colorado laws that could affect you starting Jan. 1

In general, Colorado law requires firearms always be responsibly and securely stored when they aren’t in use to prevent unsupervised juveniles or people who are not authorized to use firearms from accessing them.

Unlawful storage of a firearm on a premise you own or are in control of is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and violators could face up to 120 days in jail, a fine of up to $750 or both.

Unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun is a Class 4 felony. Unlawfully providing or giving access to any other type of firearm other than a handgun to a juvenile is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Reporter Rebecca Powell contributed to this article.

Firearm safety tips

• Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.
• Always keep firearms pointed away from others and in a safe direction, meaning that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred it would not result in injury.
• When removing or returning a firearm to storage, be sure it’s unloaded and always keep it pointed away from others and in a safe direction.
• Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe vault or storage case when not in use, and be sure this location is not accessible for children and can’t be accessed by anyone without your permission.
• Store ammunition in a locked location separate from your firearms.
• Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use.

For more safety tips, visit the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition website.