Personal Self Defense in the Rocky Mountain West
Some states have a 'Stand Your Ground Law' - such as Florida. Colorado and Wyoming both have Castle Doctrine Laws, and both are very similar. In Colorado and Wyoming it is your state Constitutional right to own and carry a firearm - Colorado and Wyoming both allow open carry, possession in your home and vehicle, and concealed carry. Colorado requires a permit, and Wyoming does not - but will issue - a permit. Both are 'shall issue' states.
In Colorado, "The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons."
In Wyoming, “The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied.”
Colorado Castle Doctrine Law
The statute states that “any occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including deadly physical force, against another person when that other person has made an unlawful entry into the dwelling, and when the occupant has a reasonable belief that such other person has committed a crime in the dwelling in addition to the uninvited entry, or is committing or intends to commit a crime against a person or property in addition to the uninvited entry, and when the occupant reasonably believes that such other person might use any physical force, no matter how slight, against any occupant.”
In Wyoming the Castle Doctrine Law is very similar in the elements of 1) uninvited entry; and 2) intent or commission of a crime.
These elements of justifiable use of deadly force are clear - each element must be present, not one or the other. Not a usual occupant or permitted guest. Not a mere threat or perceived threat. This is where the Stand Your Ground Laws become problematic. The original intent was to eliminate the common requirement of retreat and eliminated reasonable discretion.
It is important to know the laws in your state, and your rights. If unsure, seek legal advice and appropriate firearms training. Any mistake in judgment and action may be both fatal and criminal.
Being under the influence or chronic abuse of any drugs (prescription or illicit) or the use of any federal categorized illicit drug prohibits the lawful purchase, possession or use of a firearm in every state.
Dean is a former POST Certified sworn peace officer (Deputy Coroner / Investigator), experienced with several thousand hours of firearms training, and investigations of firearms deaths. He holds a Concealed Carry Permit valid in over 30 states.
Karen is a former non-sworn Deputy Coroner / Investigator, also experienced with firearms training and investigations in firearms deaths. She also holds a Concealed Carry Permit valid in multiple states.
They are both NRA Life Members and responsible firearms owners.
© July 2014 by Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
A licensed, bonded and insured Rocky Mountain West Agency (CO, WY & SD)
Expert Consultants and Legal Investigators
Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate Litigation
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI
Cheyenne WY Licensed Private Investigators (No. OL-15-31146)
Board Certified Legal Investigator / Expert
Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigators
Certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations / former Deputy Coroners
www.DeathCaseReview.com
WY - (307) 222-0136 Office and (307) 222-0138 Fax
CO - (970) 480-7793 Office and (970) 480-7794 Fax
'Quaero Indicium' - To Find The Evidence
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI began his investigative career in 1987. He is a Certified Legal Investigator and Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, and expert consultant / witness in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations. He is certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations and is a POST certified instructor, and experienced forensic autopsy assistant.
He has lectured extensively and authored multiple articles, peer-reviewed white papers, and provided expert testimony on Protocols of Private Investigation, and Forensic Investigations of Injury Pattern Analysis (including Blood Pattern Analysis) and Death Investigations (including Protocols and Standards), as well as consulted as a subject matter expert in Equivocal Death Analysis, Injury Causation, Time of Death, Crime Scene Analysis, Investigative Protocol, Evidence Protocol, and Forensic Photography.
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, began her investigative career in 1996, also earning her Bachelor's in Social Work from Colorado State University (Magna Cum Laude). She is also a Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations. In addition to be a subject matter expert in death investigations, her background, education and experience with victim advocacy and counseling are valuable assets in working with families and victims of traumatic events.
As a death investigator Karen was involved in the investigations of all manners of deaths and incidents, training under three Forensic Pathologists. From 2004-2006 she investigated and assisted with numerous death cases and scenes, and assisted with forensic autopsies.
As Team Beers, they have authored two professional books, developed a professional distance learning course and authored over two dozen published articles and white papers that include multiple peer-reviewed and association award winning articles. provide Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations of Death and Injury Causation in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation – Together We’re Better!
Some states have a 'Stand Your Ground Law' - such as Florida. Colorado and Wyoming both have Castle Doctrine Laws, and both are very similar. In Colorado and Wyoming it is your state Constitutional right to own and carry a firearm - Colorado and Wyoming both allow open carry, possession in your home and vehicle, and concealed carry. Colorado requires a permit, and Wyoming does not - but will issue - a permit. Both are 'shall issue' states.
In Colorado, "The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons."
In Wyoming, “The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied.”
Colorado Castle Doctrine Law
The statute states that “any occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including deadly physical force, against another person when that other person has made an unlawful entry into the dwelling, and when the occupant has a reasonable belief that such other person has committed a crime in the dwelling in addition to the uninvited entry, or is committing or intends to commit a crime against a person or property in addition to the uninvited entry, and when the occupant reasonably believes that such other person might use any physical force, no matter how slight, against any occupant.”
In Wyoming the Castle Doctrine Law is very similar in the elements of 1) uninvited entry; and 2) intent or commission of a crime.
These elements of justifiable use of deadly force are clear - each element must be present, not one or the other. Not a usual occupant or permitted guest. Not a mere threat or perceived threat. This is where the Stand Your Ground Laws become problematic. The original intent was to eliminate the common requirement of retreat and eliminated reasonable discretion.
It is important to know the laws in your state, and your rights. If unsure, seek legal advice and appropriate firearms training. Any mistake in judgment and action may be both fatal and criminal.
Being under the influence or chronic abuse of any drugs (prescription or illicit) or the use of any federal categorized illicit drug prohibits the lawful purchase, possession or use of a firearm in every state.
Dean is a former POST Certified sworn peace officer (Deputy Coroner / Investigator), experienced with several thousand hours of firearms training, and investigations of firearms deaths. He holds a Concealed Carry Permit valid in over 30 states.
Karen is a former non-sworn Deputy Coroner / Investigator, also experienced with firearms training and investigations in firearms deaths. She also holds a Concealed Carry Permit valid in multiple states.
They are both NRA Life Members and responsible firearms owners.
© July 2014 by Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
A licensed, bonded and insured Rocky Mountain West Agency (CO, WY & SD)
Expert Consultants and Legal Investigators
Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate Litigation
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI
Cheyenne WY Licensed Private Investigators (No. OL-15-31146)
Board Certified Legal Investigator / Expert
Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigators
Certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations / former Deputy Coroners
www.DeathCaseReview.com
WY - (307) 222-0136 Office and (307) 222-0138 Fax
CO - (970) 480-7793 Office and (970) 480-7794 Fax
'Quaero Indicium' - To Find The Evidence
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI began his investigative career in 1987. He is a Certified Legal Investigator and Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, and expert consultant / witness in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations. He is certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations and is a POST certified instructor, and experienced forensic autopsy assistant.
He has lectured extensively and authored multiple articles, peer-reviewed white papers, and provided expert testimony on Protocols of Private Investigation, and Forensic Investigations of Injury Pattern Analysis (including Blood Pattern Analysis) and Death Investigations (including Protocols and Standards), as well as consulted as a subject matter expert in Equivocal Death Analysis, Injury Causation, Time of Death, Crime Scene Analysis, Investigative Protocol, Evidence Protocol, and Forensic Photography.
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, began her investigative career in 1996, also earning her Bachelor's in Social Work from Colorado State University (Magna Cum Laude). She is also a Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations. In addition to be a subject matter expert in death investigations, her background, education and experience with victim advocacy and counseling are valuable assets in working with families and victims of traumatic events.
As a death investigator Karen was involved in the investigations of all manners of deaths and incidents, training under three Forensic Pathologists. From 2004-2006 she investigated and assisted with numerous death cases and scenes, and assisted with forensic autopsies.
As Team Beers, they have authored two professional books, developed a professional distance learning course and authored over two dozen published articles and white papers that include multiple peer-reviewed and association award winning articles. provide Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations of Death and Injury Causation in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation – Together We’re Better!
