What Is a Ghost Gun?
A "ghost gun" is an unserialized firearm that lacks a serial number or other identification mark. These include unserialized firearms built from unfinished frames or lower receivers. Connecticut law generally regulates firearms manufactured on or after December 16, 1968, that lack a serial number or other identification mark, with exemptions for antique firearms and firearms made using frames or receivers already marked under CGS 53-206j.[1]
Connecticut's Ghost Gun Ban
Connecticut enacted ghost gun manufacturing and serialization requirements in 2019. HB 6667, signed on June 6, 2023, expanded the prohibition to include firearms assembled before the 2019 ban took effect, subject to the statutory exemptions. Under the current law, possession of a nonexempt unserialized firearm must have been declared under CGS 29-36a or a DESPP identifier must have been affixed or properly requested and not yet received. Antique firearms, otherwise lawfully possessed firearms manufactured before December 16, 1968, and firearms made using frames or receivers already marked under CGS 53-206j are exempt.[1]
Registration and Serialization Options
The declaration and serialization requirements below have different conditions, and the inoperability, dealer-sale and removal options apply to persons moving into Connecticut in lawful possession.
- Declare to DESPP. For firearms manufactured before October 1, 2019, and lawfully possessed before January 1, 2024, the application deadline was January 1, 2024. Members of the military or naval forces of Connecticut or the United States unable to apply because of official duty outside Connecticut have 90 days after returning to apply. Such members transferred into Connecticut after January 1, 2024, with lawful possession may apply within 90 days of arrival. Applications must use the form and manner prescribed by DESPP. DESPP will maintain a record of the declaration.
- Obtain a serial number. Apply to DESPP for a unique serial number or other mark of identification and engrave upon or permanently affix it to the firearm in a manner that conforms with federal marking requirements.
- Render inoperable. A person moving into Connecticut in lawful possession may render the firearm permanently inoperable within 90 days.
- Sell to a licensed dealer. A person moving into Connecticut in lawful possession may sell the firearm to a federally licensed firearm dealer within 90 days. A firearm manufactured in violation of CGS 29-36a may not be transferred to another person.
- Remove from the state. A person moving into Connecticut in lawful possession may remove the firearm from the state within 90 days.
Persons moving into Connecticut in lawful possession of a nonexempt unserialized firearm have 90 days to obtain and affix a DESPP identifier, render it permanently inoperable, sell it to a federally licensed firearm dealer, or remove it from the state. Members of the military or naval forces of Connecticut or the United States transferred into Connecticut after January 1, 2024, with lawful possession may instead apply to declare possession within 90 days of arrival.[1]
Registration Deadlines
For nonexempt unserialized firearms manufactured before October 1, 2019, and lawfully possessed before January 1, 2024, the ordinary declaration deadline was January 1, 2024. Members of the military or naval forces of Connecticut or the United States who were unable to apply by January 1, 2024, because they are or were on official duty outside Connecticut have 90 days after returning to apply.[2]
Confidentiality
The name and address of a person who declares possession of a ghost gun is confidential and generally may not be disclosed. Records may be shared with law enforcement agencies and with U.S. Probation Office employees and Department of Correction parole officers acting in the performance of their duties. They may also be shared with the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to carry out CGS 17a-500(c).[1]
Manufacturing Restrictions
Under CGS 29-36a, a person who completes the manufacture of a firearm must subsequently obtain a unique serial number or other mark of identification from DESPP and engrave upon or permanently affix it in a manner that conforms with federal marking requirements. The person must notify DESPP of the manufacture not later than 30 days after completion. Manufacture means to fabricate or construct a firearm, including the initial assembly, whether from a kit, a 3D printer, or raw materials. The requirements do not apply to manufacture by a federally licensed firearm manufacturer, antique firearms, otherwise lawfully possessed firearms manufactured before December 16, 1968, or manufacture using unfinished frames or unfinished lower receivers already marked under CGS 53-206j(c). Under CGS 53-206j, unfinished frames or unfinished lower receivers include items that may readily be completed into the frame or receiver of a functional firearm or are marketed or sold for that use once completed. Their sale, delivery or transfer under the ordinary purchase procedures requires a unique serial number or other mark of identification, subject to the exceptions in that section.[1]
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Possession of an unserialized ghost gun carries different penalties depending on the person's eligibility status:
- Ineligible persons who violate CGS 29-36a commit a class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, with two years of the sentence imposed that may not be suspended or reduced. Five thousand dollars of the fine imposed may not be remitted or reduced unless the court states its reasons on the record, and any firearm found in possession in violation of the section is forfeited.[1]
- Eligible persons who possess a nonexempt unserialized firearm in violation of CGS 29-36a commit a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 months imprisonment.[1]