Connecticut Gun Laws

Connecticut has no permitless or constitutional carry. Carrying a pistol or revolver on one's person outside the dwelling, leased/owned land, or place of business requires a permit to carry issued under § 29-28. Violation is a criminal offense (a Class D felony when subject to enhancements under § 29-37).

"No person shall carry any pistol or revolver upon such person's person, except when such person is within such person's dwelling house, on land leased or owned by such person or within the place of business of such person, without a permit to carry the same issued as provided in section 29-28."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(1) statute

Connecticut sets the penalties for carry-permit violations: violation of § 29-28 or § 29-31 (carry-permit-related offenses) is a Class E felony with mandatory forfeiture of the pistol or revolver. Violation of § 29-35(a)(1) (carrying without a permit) is a Class D felony with a one-year non-suspendable portion absent mitigating circumstances stated on the record. Violation of § 29-35(a)(2) (carry with intent to display / open carry) is a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and Class A misdemeanor for any subsequent offense, with discretionary suspension of prosecution available for non-serious cases.

"Any person violating any provision of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 29-35 shall be guilty of a class D felony, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, one year of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37 statute

The municipal Chief of Police (or designated chief executive officer / resident state trooper) may issue a Temporary State Permit to carry a pistol or revolver to a resident applicant upon finding that the applicant intends only lawful use and is a suitable person. Statutory disqualifiers include conviction of a felony or enumerated misdemeanor, juvenile serious-offense adjudication, restraining/protective orders, federal § 922(g) prohibitions, mental-health commitments, illegal-alien status, and a hard floor of being less than twenty-one years of age. After receiving the Temporary State Permit, the applicant has 60 days to appear at a DESPP location to receive the State Permit.

"such chief of police or, where there is no chief of police, such chief executive officer... or, if designated by such chief executive officer, a resident state trooper or state police officer, as applicable, may issue a temporary state permit to such person to carry a pistol or revolver within the state, provided such authority shall find that such applicant intends to make no use of any pistol or revolver which such applicant may be permitted to carry under such permit other than a lawful use and that such person is a suitable person to receive such permit."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(b) statute

For any application filed on or after July 1, 2024, the applicant must have successfully completed, within two years prior to application, a Commissioner-approved firearms safety course that includes instruction in Connecticut state-law requirements on safe storage in the home and in vehicles, lawful use of firearms, and lawful carrying of firearms in public. The course may be one certified by the National Rifle Association or another organization and must be conducted by a state-certified or NRA-certified instructor. Connecticut does not impose a specific minimum classroom hour count in statute.

"for any application filed on or after July 1, 2024, has failed to successfully complete, not earlier than two years prior to the submission of such application, a course approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in the safety and use of firearms... provided any such course includes instruction in state law requirements pertaining to safe storage in the home and in vehicles, lawful use of firearms and lawful carrying of firearms in public."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(b)(1)(B) statute

The original State Permit to carry a pistol or revolver costs $140 ($70 retained by the local issuing authority, $70 transmitted to DESPP) plus the FBI national criminal history records check fee. The renewal fee is $70. The State Permit is valid for five years from its effective date; each renewal is valid for five years from the prior expiration date. The Temporary State Permit expires sixty days after it becomes effective and may not be renewed.

"The fee for each state permit originally issued under the provisions of subsection (b) of section 29-28 for the carrying of pistols and revolvers shall be one hundred forty dollars plus sufficient funds as required to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to cover the cost of a national criminal history records check... Seventy dollars shall be retained by the local authority... Upon approval... seventy dollars shall be sent to the commissioner. The fee to renew each state permit... shall be seventy dollars."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-30(a), (c) statute

The Connecticut State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit administers the State Pistol Permit. DESPP confirms the 21+ minimum age, requires completion of a handgun safety course no less rigorous than the NRA Basic Pistol Course (with mandatory live-fire — no simulators), and confirms a five-year permit validity. Applicants first obtain a local pistol permit from their town Chief of Police; once approved, the applicant appears at a DESPP location for the State Permit.

"Applicants must be at least 21 years old and be a legal resident of the United States... You are required to complete a handgun safety course, which must consist of no less than the NRA's 'Basic Pistol Course,' prior to submitting the application. Live fire is also required... The permit is good for a period of five years."

DESPP — Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, State Pistol Permit ag

Effective October 1, 2023 (PA 23-53), Connecticut prohibits any person from knowingly carrying any firearm with intent to display it outside the person's dwelling, leased/owned land, place of business, firearm training, or bona fide hunting activity. A person is not deemed to be carrying with intent to display if they have taken reasonable measures to conceal the fact that they are carrying. A fleeting glimpse of a firearm, an imprint through clothing, or a temporary display while engaged in lawful self-defense does not constitute a violation. The provision does not apply to security guards in uniform, honor-guard / historic-reenactment participants, or licensed bail enforcement agents.

"No person shall knowingly carry any firearm with intent to display such firearm, except when such person is within such person's dwelling house, on land leased, owned or otherwise possessed by such person or within the place of business of such person, or such person is engaged in firearm training or bona fide hunting activity... a person shall not be deemed to be carrying a firearm with intent to display such firearm if such person has taken reasonable measures to conceal the fact that such person is carrying a firearm. Neither a fleeting glimpse of a firearm nor an imprint of a firearm through such person's clothing shall constitute a violation of this subdivision."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(2) statute

Knowingly having any pistol or revolver in a vehicle for which a proper permit has not been issued under § 29-28 is a Class D felony. The presence of the pistol, revolver, machine gun, or other listed weapon in the vehicle is prima facie evidence of a violation by the owner, operator, and each occupant.

"Any person who knowingly has, in any vehicle owned, operated or occupied by such person, any weapon, any pistol or revolver for which a proper permit has not been issued as provided in section 29-28 or any machine gun which has not been registered as required by section 53-202, shall be guilty of a class D felony, and the presence of any such weapon, pistol or revolver, or machine gun in any vehicle shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the owner, operator and each occupant thereof."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a) statute

When a non-permit holder is transporting a firearm under one of the statutory transport exceptions (e.g., to a range, training facility, or repair shop), the firearm must be unloaded and either not readily accessible from the passenger compartment, or — if the vehicle has no compartment separate from the passenger compartment — kept in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

"'transporting a firearm' means transporting a firearm that is unloaded and, if such firearm is being transported in a motor vehicle, is not readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle or, if such firearm is being transported in a motor vehicle that does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, such firearm shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(4) statute

Effective 2019 (PA 19-7, 'Ethan's Law'/companion legislation), no person may store or keep any pistol or revolver in any motor vehicle that is unattended unless the pistol or revolver is in the trunk, a locked safe, or a locked glove box. A vehicle is 'unattended' if no person 21 or older who is an owner, operator, or passenger is in or close enough to prevent unauthorized access. The rear of a pickup truck, hatchback, station wagon, or SUV, or any compartment with a window, does not qualify as a 'trunk.' First offense is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent offense is a Class D felony.

"No person shall store or keep any pistol or revolver in any motor vehicle that is unattended unless such pistol or revolver is in the trunk, a locked safe or locked glove box."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38g statute

Connecticut does not statutorily recognize any out-of-state carry permit. A non-resident who holds a carry permit or license from another state must apply directly to the Commissioner of DESPP for a separate Connecticut non-resident State Pistol Permit; the application is subject to all of CT's eligibility and background-check requirements, including § 29-17a state and national criminal history records checks.

"Any bona fide resident of the United States having no bona fide permanent residence within the jurisdiction of any local authority in the state, but who has a permit or license to carry a pistol or revolver issued by the authority of another state or subdivision of the United States, may apply directly to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a permit to carry a pistol or revolver in this state."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(f) statute

Whenever Connecticut law requires a criminal history records check, the requesting party submits fingerprints to the State Police Bureau of Identification, which conducts a state check and, if requested, forwards the prints to the FBI for a national check. The Commissioner of DESPP charges the fees set by the Department for state checks and the FBI's national check fee, which apply to State Pistol Permits, non-resident State Pistol Permits, Eligibility Certificates, and Long Gun Eligibility Certificates.

"If a criminal history records check is required pursuant to any provision of the general statutes, such check shall be requested from the State Police Bureau of Identification and shall be applicable to the individual identified in the request. The requesting party shall arrange for the fingerprinting of the individual."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-17a statute

A person in possession or control of premises may use reasonable physical force to terminate a criminal trespass and may use deadly physical force only (1) in defense of a person under § 53a-19, (2) to prevent an attempt by the trespasser to commit arson or any crime of violence, or (3) to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry by force into the person's dwelling or place of work, and for the sole purpose of such prevention or termination.

"A person in possession or control of premises... is justified in using reasonable physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes such to be necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass... but he may use deadly physical force under such circumstances only (1) in defense of a person as prescribed in section 53a-19, or (2) when he reasonably believes such to be necessary to prevent an attempt by the trespasser to commit arson or any crime of violence, or (3) to the extent that he reasonably believes such to be necessary to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry by force into his dwelling... or place of work."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-20 statute

Connecticut imposes a duty to retreat: a person is not justified in using deadly physical force if they know they can avoid the necessity of using such force with complete safety by retreating, surrendering possession of property to a claimant of right, or complying with a demand they are not obliged to perform. The retreat requirement does not apply if the person is in their dwelling or place of work and was not the initial aggressor, or if they are a peace officer (or assisting a peace officer) acting under § 53a-22.

"a person is not justified in using deadly physical force upon another person if he or she knows that he or she can avoid the necessity of using such force with complete safety (1) by retreating, except that the actor shall not be required to retreat if he or she is in his or her dwelling... or place of work and was not the initial aggressor."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(b) statute

A peace officer or authorized Department of Correction or Board of Pardons and Paroles official may use physical force, including deadly physical force, in making an arrest or preventing an escape from custody, subject to objective-reasonableness and necessity limits codified by Public Act 20-1 (the 2020 police accountability act). The retreat exception in § 53a-19(b)(2) — that the duty to retreat does not apply to a peace officer or person assisting one acting under § 53a-22 — cross-references this section.

"Except as provided in subsection (a) or (d) of this section, a peace officer or an authorized official of the Department of Correction or the Board of Pardons and Paroles is justified in using physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes such use to be necessary to: (1) Effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person whom he or she reasonably believes to have committed an offense."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22 statute

Connecticut does not impose a general statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a firearm. A permit holder must carry the permit on their person while carrying a pistol or revolver and must present it on the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime — for the purposes of verifying the validity of the permit or identifying the holder — provided the officer has observed the holder carrying the pistol or revolver.

"The holder of a permit issued pursuant to section 29-28 shall carry such permit upon one's person while carrying such pistol or revolver. Such holder shall present his or her permit upon the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime for purposes of verification of the validity of the permit or identification of the holder, provided such holder is carrying a pistol or revolver that is observed by such law enforcement officer."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(b) statute

Possession of a firearm or deadly weapon on the real property of a public or private elementary or secondary school, or at a school-sponsored activity, by a person knowing they are not licensed or privileged to do so, is a Class D felony.

"A person is guilty of possession of a weapon on school grounds when, knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, (1) in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, or (2) at a school-sponsored activity as defined in subsection (h) of section 10-233a."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217b statute

Issuance of a Connecticut permit to carry a pistol or revolver does not authorize possession or carry in any premises where carrying is otherwise prohibited by law or is prohibited by the person who owns or exercises control over the premises. Posted private property is therefore off-limits to permit holders.

"The issuance of any permit to carry a pistol or revolver does not thereby authorize the possession or carrying of a pistol or revolver in any premises where the possession or carrying of a pistol or revolver is otherwise prohibited by law or is prohibited by the person who owns or exercises control over such premises."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(e) statute

Connecticut Penal Code definitions section. 'Deadly weapon' is defined to mean any weapon, loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, or metal knuckles — with the carve-out that this definition does not apply to § 29-38 (weapons in vehicles) or § 53-206 (carrying dangerous weapons). This definition controls the 'deadly weapon' element of § 53a-217b (weapons on school grounds) and other Penal Code offenses.

"'Deadly weapon' means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, or metal knuckles. The definition of 'deadly weapon' in this subdivision shall be deemed not to apply to section 29-38 or 53-206."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3 statute

For purposes of the K-12 school-grounds weapons offense (§ 53a-217b), a 'school-sponsored activity' means any activity sponsored, recognized, or authorized by a local or regional board of education, including activities conducted on or off school property. This definition extends the school-grounds firearm prohibition to off-campus field trips, athletic events, and other board-sanctioned activities.

"'School-sponsored activity' means any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by a board of education and includes activities conducted on or off school property."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233a(h) statute

Connecticut requires a NICS background check for every pistol or revolver sale, delivery, or transfer, including private transfers between non-licensees. Public Act 13-3 (2013) extended the same NICS-check requirement to all long-gun transfers, including private long-gun sales — making Connecticut a universal-background-check state for all firearm transfers.

"No person, firm or corporation shall sell, deliver or otherwise transfer any pistol or revolver to any person who is prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver as provided in section 53a-217c."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-33 (handgun transfer); § 29-37a (long-gun transfer) statute

Criminal possession of a pistol or revolver is a Class C felony. The statute lists the categories of persons prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver in Connecticut — including persons convicted of any felony, enumerated misdemeanors (assault, threatening, stalking, family-violence crimes designated under § 46b-38h, and certain narcotics offenses), persons adjudicated delinquent for a serious juvenile offense, persons found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, persons subject to recent psychiatric commitments, persons subject to restraining or protective orders, persons subject to a Risk Protection Order, illegal aliens, and any person otherwise prohibited under federal law. This is the cross-referenced eligibility list that § 29-33 enforces at the point of sale or transfer.

"A person is guilty of criminal possession of a pistol or revolver when such person possesses a pistol or revolver, as defined in section 29-27, and (1) has been convicted of (A) a felony committed prior to, on or after October 1, 2013, (B) a misdemeanor violation of section 21a-279 committed on or after October 1, 2015, (C) a misdemeanor violation of section 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d committed during the preceding twenty years."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217c statute

Federal law prohibits possession of any firearm or ammunition by nine categories of persons, including any person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, fugitives from justice, unlawful users of or persons addicted to controlled substances, persons adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution, illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship, persons subject to qualifying domestic-violence restraining orders, and persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Connecticut incorporates § 922(g) by reference in the disqualifier lists for the State Pistol Permit (§ 29-28(b)) and the Long Gun Eligibility Certificate (§ 29-37p).

"It shall be unlawful for any person — (1) who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year... (8) who is subject to a court order [restraining harassment of an intimate partner or child]... (9) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition."

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) atf

Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1)) requires that handguns be purchased from a federally licensed dealer only by buyers 21 or older, and that long guns be purchased from an FFL by buyers at least 18. Connecticut adds state-level credentials: a State Pistol Permit or Eligibility Certificate for a Pistol or Revolver requires age 21; a Long Gun Eligibility Certificate requires age 18. Public Act 13-3 also bars dealers from selling a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept more than five rounds to anyone under 21.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(b)(10); § 29-37p (long-gun eligibility certificate, age 18); § 29-37a (long-gun dealer transfers) atf

Connecticut has no firearm registry for general lawful possession, but the State requires that a purchaser of either a handgun (pistol/revolver) or long gun present a valid State Permit, Eligibility Certificate for a Pistol or Revolver, Long Gun Eligibility Certificate, or, for ammunition only, an Ammunition Certificate. Pre-1993 (and pre-2013) assault weapons and pre-2014 large-capacity magazines that were grandfathered must have been registered with DESPP under §§ 53-202d / 53-202x; PA 23-53 added a parallel registration requirement for pre-2023 'other firearm' configurations.

"Any person who is twenty-one years of age or older may apply to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection for an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-36f (eligibility certificate for pistol or revolver); § 29-37p (long gun eligibility certificate) statute

Created by Public Act 13-3 (2013), the Long Gun Eligibility Certificate is required to purchase a rifle or shotgun from a Connecticut dealer or in a private transfer. The minimum age is 18. Disqualifiers parallel the State Pistol Permit list (felony, enumerated misdemeanor, psychiatric commitment, restraining order, RPO, federal § 922(g) prohibition). The certificate is valid for five years (§ 29-37r) and costs $35 to issue and $35 to renew.

"Any person who is eighteen years of age or older may apply to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a long gun eligibility certificate."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37p (Long Gun Eligibility Certificate) statute

Created by Public Act 13-3 (2013), the Ammunition Certificate is one of the credentials a purchaser may present to buy ammunition or an ammunition magazine in Connecticut. The minimum age is 18. The certificate costs $35 originally and $35 to renew and is valid for five years. Sale of ammunition or an ammunition magazine to any person under 18 is prohibited, and every adult buyer must present either a pistol permit, sales permit, pistol-or-revolver eligibility certificate, long-gun eligibility certificate, or the Ammunition Certificate plus photo ID.

"No person, firm or corporation shall sell ammunition or an ammunition magazine to any person unless such person holds a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver issued pursuant to subsection (b) of section 29-28, a valid permit to sell firearms at retail... a valid eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver... or a valid long gun eligibility certificate... or unless such person holds a valid ammunition certificate."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38n (Ammunition Certificate); § 29-38m (sale of ammunition) statute

The Long Gun Eligibility Certificate fee is $35 to issue and $35 to renew, paid to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The certificate expires five years after its effective date; each renewal expires five years after the prior expiration date. The renewal fee applies if the renewal is requested within 31 days before or 31 days after the expiration date. DESPP must mail or e-mail expiration notices at least 90 days before expiration, and the certificate remains valid for 90 days past expiration unless revoked.

"The fee for each long gun eligibility certificate originally issued under the provisions of section 29-37p shall be thirty-five dollars and for each renewal thereof thirty-five dollars... A long gun eligibility certificate originally issued under the provisions of section 29-37p shall expire five years after the date it becomes effective and each renewal thereof shall expire five years after the expiration date of the certificate being renewed."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37r statute

Connecticut enacted the nation's first 'red flag' (Risk Protection Order) statute in 1999 as Public Act 99-212. The current law allows a state's attorney or police officer to apply on probable cause to a Superior Court judge for a risk protection order against any adult who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to self or others; the order prohibits the person from acquiring or possessing a firearm, other deadly weapon, or ammunition, and authorizes a warrant to seize same. Public Act 21-67 (effective June 1, 2022) and Public Act 23-89 (effective June 29, 2023) added the ability of family or household members and qualifying medical professionals to apply directly for an RPO investigation, and limited applicability to persons at least 18 years of age; a child-RPO procedure was added under § 29-38q.

"upon complaint on oath by any state's attorney or assistant state's attorney or by any police officer, to any judge of the Superior Court, that such state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or police officer has probable cause to believe that a person who is at least eighteen years of age poses a risk of imminent personal injury to such person's self or to another person, the judge may issue a risk protection order prohibiting such person from acquiring or possessing a firearm or other deadly weapon or ammunition."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c (Risk Protection Order) statute

Created by Public Act 23-89 (effective June 29, 2023), § 29-38q establishes a parallel juvenile Risk Warrant procedure. On probable cause that a child under 18 poses a risk of imminent personal injury to others and possesses one or more firearms or deadly weapons, a Superior Court judge may issue a risk warrant authorizing seizure of the firearms, deadly weapons, and ammunition. Applicants are limited to assistant state's attorneys, two police officers, family or household members, and qualifying medical professionals, and must show that no reasonable alternative exists.

"Upon complaint on oath by any assistant state's attorney or by any two police officers, to any judge of the Superior Court, that such assistant state's attorney or police officers have probable cause to believe that a child under eighteen years of age poses a risk of imminent personal injury to other individuals and that such child possesses one or more firearms or other deadly weapons... such judge may issue a risk warrant."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38q statute

Connecticut prohibits possession of statutorily defined 'assault weapons' as a Class D felony. The ban originated in 1993, was substantially expanded by Public Act 13-3 (2013, post-Sandy Hook) to add additional named firearms and a one-feature test, and was further expanded by Public Act 23-53 (2023) to cover additional 'other' firearm configurations and to close the pre-1994 grandfather. Persons who lawfully possessed the firearm prior to the relevant cutoff date and applied for a certificate of possession may continue to possess it under strict storage/use limits per § 53-202d.

"any person who, within this state, possesses an assault weapon, except as provided in sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and 53-202o, shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which one year may not be suspended or reduced by the court."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a et seq.; § 53-202c statute

On August 22, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the District of Connecticut's denial of preliminary injunctions against Connecticut's assault-weapons and large-capacity-magazine bans in the consolidated Nat'l Ass'n for Gun Rights v. Lamont (No. 23-1162-cv) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 23-1344-cv) appeals. Applying District of Columbia v. Heller and N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, the panel assumed without deciding that the conduct was presumptively protected by the Second Amendment but held that CT's restrictions are consistent with the nation's historical tradition of regulating unusually dangerous weapons. A petition for a writ of certiorari was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court (No. 25-421) in late 2025.

"Connecticut's challenged laws are consistent with the Nation's historical tradition of regulating unusually dangerous weapons."

Nat'l Ass'n for Gun Rights v. Lamont (Grant v. Higgins), No. 23-1162-cv (2d Cir. Aug. 22, 2025) court

Persons who lawfully possessed an assault weapon prior to the relevant statutory cutoff (October 1, 1993 for the original ban; April 4, 2013 for the Public Act 13-3 expansion) had to apply to DESPP for a Certificate of Possession by the statutory deadline to lawfully keep the weapon. Once registered, the assault weapon may be possessed only by the certificate holder at the holder's residence, place of business, target range, or while transporting unloaded to and from a qualifying location; the weapon may not be sold or transferred within Connecticut except to a licensed gun dealer or to a designated heir on the death of the certificate holder.

"Any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, prior to October 1, 1993, shall apply by October 1, 1994... to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d statute

Connecticut bans the distribution, importation, sale, transfer, or purchase of any 'large capacity magazine' — defined as any magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that can hold or be readily converted to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition (with carve-outs for permanently altered devices, .22 caliber tube feeding devices, lever-action tubular magazines, and permanently inoperable magazines). Possession is a Class D felony if the possessor is a prohibited person under state or federal law, otherwise a Class A misdemeanor. Pre-2014 lawful possessors who declared their magazines to DESPP under § 53-202x may continue to possess them.

"'Large capacity magazine' means any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip or similar device that has the capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202w; § 53-202x statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. Connecticut law layers state restrictions on top of these federal rules — machine guns are tightly restricted under § 53-202 (registration with DESPP, target/scientific purposes only); SBRs and SBSs that meet the state's assault-weapon feature test are barred under § 53-202a; suppressors are not state-prohibited for owners in compliance with federal law.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Connecticut bans the possession or use of a machine gun for any 'offensive or aggressive purpose' and presumes such a purpose under specified circumstances (e.g., possession on premises the possessor does not own or rent for permanent residence or business; possession by an unnaturalized foreign-born person or a person previously convicted of a crime of violence). Lawful possessors must register each machine gun with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection on a form prescribed by the Commissioner. Use of a machine gun in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a crime of violence carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years.

"'Machine gun' shall apply to and include a weapon of any description, loaded or unloaded, which shoots, is designed to shoot or can be readily restored to shoot automatically more than one projectile, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger."

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202 statute

Connecticut does not have a comprehensive firearm-preemption statute akin to those in shall-issue Southern and Mountain-West states. Title 29 chapter 529 governs state-issued permits and related substantive rules statewide, but municipalities retain authority over matters such as discharge of firearms within municipal boundaries, zoning of shooting ranges and firearm-related businesses, and posting against firearms on municipally controlled property. Municipal officials are also the local issuing authority for the Temporary State Permit under § 29-28(b).

"such chief of police or, where there is no chief of police, such chief executive officer... or, if designated by such chief executive officer, a resident state trooper or state police officer, as applicable, may issue a temporary state permit."

Conn. Gen. Stat. (no comprehensive preemption statute) statute

Public Act 23-53, 'An Act Addressing Gun Violence,' was signed by Governor Lamont on June 6, 2023, with most provisions effective October 1, 2023. The act amended § 29-35 to prohibit knowingly carrying any firearm with intent to display it in public (broadly ending lawful open carry), expanded the assault-weapons-ban definition to cover additional pistol/rifle 'other firearm' configurations and closed the pre-September 1994 grandfather, limited handgun purchases to three in any 30-day period, applied the state's ghost-gun ban to firearms manufactured prior to October 2019, and updated safe-storage requirements.

"AN ACT ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 29-35 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023)."

Public Act 23-53 (2023), Substitute House Bill No. 6667 statute

Effective October 1, 2019, Connecticut enacted § 29-38g requiring that any pistol or revolver left in an unattended motor vehicle be stored in the trunk, a locked safe, or a locked glove box. A first violation is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent offenses are Class D felonies. The statute also defines 'trunk' to exclude the rear of a pickup truck, hatchback, station wagon, or SUV.

"No person shall store or keep any pistol or revolver in any motor vehicle that is unattended unless such pistol or revolver is in the trunk, a locked safe or locked glove box."

Public Act 19-7 (2019), Senate Bill 60 (Ethan's Law companion / 29-38g) statute

Effective June 1, 2022, Public Act 21-67 substantially rewrote § 29-38c to expand Connecticut's 1999 'red flag' law: it allowed family or household members and qualifying medical professionals to apply for a Risk Protection Order investigation directly, added language enabling Risk Protection Orders against persons who do not yet possess firearms, and tied the order to entry into the federal NICS prohibited-persons database. The order's continuation requires a court hearing within 14 days at which the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the subject poses a risk of imminent personal injury.

"Any family or household member or medical professional who has a good faith belief that a person who is at least eighteen years of age poses a risk of imminent personal injury to such person's self or to another person may make an application for a risk protection order investigation with the clerk of the court for any geographical area."

Public Act 21-67 (2021) — Risk Protection Order expansion statute

Effective June 29, 2023, Public Act 23-89 amended § 29-38c to limit adult RPO applicability to persons at least 18 years of age, allowed a single police officer (rather than two) to seek an RPO not accompanied by a search warrant, and created a parallel juvenile process under new § 29-38q allowing risk warrants against minors. The act also added a 'committed under an emergency certificate' disqualifier for permit/certificate eligibility.

"Upon complaint on oath by any assistant state's attorney or by any two police officers, to any judge of the Superior Court, that such assistant state's attorney or police officers have probable cause to believe that a child under eighteen years of age poses a risk of imminent personal injury to other individuals."

Public Act 23-89 (2023), Senate Bill 1179 statute

Public Act 23-53 (Substitute House Bill 6667), signed June 6, 2023, ended open carry by prohibiting knowing carry of any firearm with intent to display, expanded the assault-weapons-ban definition to cover additional 'other firearm' configurations and closed the pre-September 1994 grandfather, limited handgun purchases to three in any 30-day period, applied the state's ghost-gun ban to firearms manufactured prior to October 2019, and added new training-course content requirements for carry-permit and eligibility-certificate applications filed on or after July 1, 2024.

Public Act 23-53 (2023)

Public Act 23-89 limited adult Risk Protection Order applicability to persons at least 18 years of age, allowed a single police officer (rather than two) to seek an RPO that is not accompanied by a search warrant, and created a parallel juvenile risk-warrant procedure under new § 29-38q. The act also added 'committed under an emergency certificate' under § 17a-502 as a disqualifier for permits and eligibility certificates.

Public Act 23-89 (2023)

Public Act 21-67 substantially rewrote § 29-38c to allow family or household members and qualifying medical professionals to apply directly to court for a Risk Protection Order investigation, to issue Risk Protection Orders against persons not yet in possession of a firearm, and to link CT RPOs to the federal NICS prohibited-persons database. Court hearings must be held within 14 days; the state must prove imminent risk by clear and convincing evidence.

Public Act 21-67 (2021)

Public Act 19-7 added § 29-38g requiring any pistol or revolver left in an unattended motor vehicle to be stored in the trunk, a locked safe, or a locked glove box. First-offense violation is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent offenses are Class D felonies. The statute defines 'trunk' to exclude the rear of pickup trucks, hatchbacks, station wagons, and SUVs.

Public Act 19-7 (2019)

Public Act 13-3, signed April 4, 2013, expanded the state assault-weapons ban to include additional named weapons and a one-feature test, banned the sale and transfer of magazines holding more than ten rounds with a registration window for pre-existing magazines, extended NICS background checks to all long-gun transfers (universal background checks), created the Long Gun Eligibility Certificate and Ammunition Certificate, and tightened many penalties.

Public Act 13-3 (2013)