Glossary

Key terms and abbreviations used in Connecticut firearms law.

Assault Weapon: As defined in CGS 53-202a, a firearm that appears on the named model list or meets the characteristics-based test for semiautomatic firearms with enumerated features such as a pistol grip, folding stock, flash suppressor, or arm brace. The definition was expanded by HB 6667 in 2023.
Authorization Number: A unique number issued by the DESPP Commissioner that must be obtained before any sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm. Required for handgun transactions under CGS 29-33 and long gun transactions under CGS 29-37a. Functions as Connecticut's point-of-sale background check mechanism.
BFPE: Board of Firearms Permit Examiners. A nine-member governor-appointed board that hears appeals of permit denials and revocations under CGS 29-28a. One attorney member serves as chair, and two members are from the public.
Bruen: Shorthand for the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires firearms regulations to be justified by historical analogues. Has affected Connecticut's may-issue permit framework and is central to ongoing challenges in Grant v. Rovella and NAGR v. Lamont.
Bulk Purchase Limit: Under HB 6667 (2023), no person may purchase more than three handguns in a 30-day period. This restriction applies to all handgun transactions processed through the DESPP authorization number system.
Castle Doctrine: Connecticut's exception to the duty to retreat under CGS 53a-19, allowing the use of deadly force without retreating when in one's dwelling or place of work, provided the person is not the initial aggressor.
Certificate of Possession: A registration document issued by DESPP under CGS 53-202d allowing continued lawful possession of assault weapons that were owned before the applicable ban dates (1993, 2013, or 2023). Owners had to register by the statutory deadlines for each ban period.
CGS: Connecticut General Statutes. The codified statutes of the State of Connecticut, organized by title and chapter. Firearms laws are primarily found in Title 29 (Chapter 529) and Title 53 (Chapter 943).
Convertible Pistol: Under proposed HB 5043 (2026), a handgun that can be modified to function as a machine gun, such as those compatible with auto sears commonly known as "Glock switches." The bill is currently pending in the Connecticut General Assembly.
DESPP: Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The parent agency overseeing all firearms regulation, law enforcement, and public safety in Connecticut. Houses the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) and the Connecticut State Police.
Duty to Retreat: Connecticut's requirement under CGS 53a-19 that a person must retreat to safety before using deadly force, if the person knows they can do so with complete safety. Exceptions apply in one's dwelling or place of work (Castle Doctrine).
Eligibility Certificate: A permit issued by DESPP/SLFU that authorizes the purchase of handguns (Handgun Eligibility Certificate under CGS 29-36f) or long guns (Long Gun Eligibility Certificate under CGS 29-37p). Required if the buyer does not hold a State Pistol Permit. Valid for 5 years.
Ethan's Law: Named after Ethan Song. Connecticut's safe storage law (CGS 29-37i) requiring all firearms to be securely locked or on the owner's person. Originally enacted in 1999, strengthened in 2019 and again in 2023 by HB 6667 to cover all firearms regardless of whether minors are present.
Ghost Gun: An unserialized, post-1968 firearm lacking a manufacturer-engraved serial number. Banned in Connecticut since 2019, with expanded registration requirements under HB 6667 (2023). All such firearms must be declared to DESPP or serialized through DESPP.
HB 6667: Public Act 23-53, Connecticut's 2023 omnibus gun reform bill. Banned open carry, expanded the assault weapon definition, limited bulk handgun purchases to three per 30 days, expanded ghost gun registration requirements, and strengthened Ethan's Law safe storage provisions.
Large-Capacity Magazine: Under CGS 53-202w, a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Sale, transfer, and possession are prohibited, with grandfathering for pre-April 4, 2013 magazines that were declared to DESPP by the statutory deadline.
May-Issue: Connecticut's permit classification, where the issuing authority has discretion in granting permits based on "suitability" under CGS 29-28. In practice, permits are issued on a relatively permissive basis following the Supreme Court's Bruen decision.
NICS: National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The federal background check system through which DESPP, serving as the state point of contact, performs background checks for all firearms transactions in Connecticut.
Pre-Ban: Refers to firearms manufactured or possessed before the applicable Connecticut ban dates (1993, 2013, or 2023). HB 6667 closed the pre-1994 loophole that had previously allowed the sale of pre-ban assault weapons.
Risk Protection Order: Under CGS 29-38c, a court order authorizing seizure of firearms from a person deemed to pose a risk of imminent personal injury. Connecticut was the first state to enact this type of law in 1999. Also called a "red flag" order. Expanded in 2021 to allow family members to request investigations.
SLFU: Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. A division of the Connecticut State Police within DESPP that processes retail firearms transactions, issues state pistol permits, conducts NICS background checks, maintains firearms registries, and issues authorization numbers for sales and transfers.
State Pistol Permit: Connecticut's concealed carry permit issued under CGS 29-28. Requires a two-step process: a local temporary permit from the police department followed by a permanent state permit from DESPP/SLFU. Valid for 5 years. Also satisfies the eligibility certificate requirement for purchasing firearms.
Suitability: The discretionary standard used by Connecticut permit-issuing authorities to evaluate applicants under CGS 29-28. Considers criminal history, mental health, and overall fitness. The practical application has shifted toward shall-issue following the Supreme Court's Bruen decision.
Temporary Permit: The initial permit issued by the local police department or resident state trooper as part of Connecticut's two-step pistol permit process under CGS 29-28. Valid for 60 days, during which the applicant must apply to DESPP/SLFU for the permanent state permit.
Two-Step Permit Process: Connecticut's unique pistol permit system under CGS 29-28 requiring applicants to first obtain a temporary permit from local authorities and then apply for a permanent state permit from DESPP/SLFU within 60 days. The local step costs $70 and the state step costs $70, for a total statutory fee of $140.