Reckless Endangerment: Target Practice in the Basement

Learn more about Reckless Endangerment charges in Greeley and across Colorado.

Sometimes, when you are hanging out with your buddies, someone has an idea that seems good at the time, but doesn’t end up the way you planned. Most of the time, nobody gets hurts; it’s just a situation you look back on and laugh or cringe, depending on what you did. For two Colorado Springs men, their not so great idea landed them with criminal charges.

Gunshots in the House – A Cause for Worry

Police were called to a home in Colorado Springs when neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Police heard some shots fired when they arrived at the house and the front door was open. When police entered, they found two men in the basement shooting at glass bottles. No one was reported as being injured, but the men were arrested for Reckless Endangerment and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm.

What is Reckless Endangerment in Weld County?

So, having target practice in the basement of your house in Greeley, Windsor, or Evans is probably not the best idea, seeing as it can get you charged with Reckless Endangerment. C.R.S. 18-3-208 – Reckless Endangerment – is defined as:

engaging in conduct which creates a substantail risk of serious bodily injury to another person

What is Illegal Discharge of a Firearm in Greeley?

C.R.S. 18-12-107.5 – Illegal Discharge of a Firearm – is defined as:

Any person who knowingly or recklessly discharges a firearm into any dwelling or any other building or occupied structure, or into any motor vehicle occupied by any person, commits the offense of illegal discharge of a firearm

Why Did They Charge These Men with Reckless Endangerment and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm?

Because guns can cause serious bodily injury, and shooting them within close range, inside a dwelling, without taking safety precautions, is a disaster waiting to happen, police deem this as ‘substantial risk.’ When the men shot their firearms in the house, which was occupied, it became an illegal discharge of a weapon.

Reckless Endangerment is a misdemenors and if convicted, can require jail time served in Weld, Morgan or Logan County as well as fines. Illegal Discharge of a Firearm is a Class 5 felony and may require prison time served in the Department of Corrections (DOC).

If police contact you regarding charges of Reckless Endangerment or Illegal Discharge of a Weapon in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call (970) 616-6009 to speak with the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office. Together, we can protect your future.

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