Connecticut Gun Laws

Connecticut requires buyers to be at least 21 for handguns, 18 for retail purchases of most long guns, and 21 for semiautomatic centerfire rifles accepting magazines holding more than five rounds, subject to duty-use exceptions.

Connecticut limits retail handgun purchases to three per 30-day period, enforced through DESPP authorization numbers. Instructors certified by the state under CGS 29-28 or by the NRA may buy six.

CGS 29-28 establishes Connecticut's two-step pistol permit process, in which the local permitting authority issues a temporary state permit and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection issues the state permit, and the permit for the sale at retail of firearms, which the local permitting authority issues.

CGS 29-28a governs applications for a temporary state pistol permit, the eight-week decision deadline and the detailed written reason for a denial. Appeals to the BFPE are governed by CGS 29-32b.

CGS 29-30 sets the fees for state pistol permits and permits for sale at retail of firearms, and the five-year validity period, renewal procedures, and 90-day grace period for state pistol permits.

CGS 29-33 generally governs handgun sales, deliveries, and transfers in Connecticut, requiring a DESPP authorization number for covered transactions.

CGS 29-35 prohibits carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, a Class D felony under CGS 29-37. Effective October 1, 2023 under HB 6667, it also bans knowingly carrying any firearm with intent to display it, subject to statutory exceptions.

CGS 29-36f through 29-36i establish the Handgun Eligibility Certificate, one of the credentials that can authorize the purchase or receipt of pistols and revolvers in Connecticut.

CGS 29-37a governs long gun sales and transfers in Connecticut, requiring a qualifying permit or eligibility certificate and a DESPP authorization number, subject to the exemptions in subsection (e).

Connecticut's Ethan's Law requires secure firearm storage or proximity that allows retrieval and use as if carried on the person. Storage violations can lead to criminal penalties and strict civil liability when another person obtains a firearm and causes injury or death, subject to the conditions in the liability statutes.

CGS 29-37p through 29-37r establish the Long Gun Eligibility Certificate, one of the qualifying credentials for purchasing rifles and shotguns in Connecticut since April 2014.

CGS 29-38 makes it a Class D felony to knowingly have specified weapons, an unpermitted pistol or revolver, or an unregistered machine gun in a vehicle, subject to statutory exceptions. A pistol permit allows vehicle carry of a pistol or revolver.

Connecticut's red flag law (CGS 29-38c) allows courts to order the seizure of firearms from persons at least eighteen years of age who are deemed a risk of imminent personal injury.

CGS 29-38d provides that CGS 29-35 and 29-38 do not apply to the interstate transportation of firearms through Connecticut in accordance with 18 USC 926A and 927.

Connecticut requires a State Pistol Permit for concealed carry, subject to statutory exceptions. Residents generally apply for a local temporary permit and then a state permit, with an affidavit route if the local authority fails to act.

A comprehensive overview of criminal penalties for firearms violations in Connecticut, from infractions to Class B felonies with mandatory minimums.

Connecticut law bars firearms permit applicants convicted of specified misdemeanors within the preceding eight years, with separate rules for drug and family violence convictions.

Connecticut generally bans possession of unserialized firearms, with statutory exemptions and exceptions for declared possession or pending DESPP identifier applications. The declaration deadline was January 1, 2024, with military exceptions.

Connecticut banned open carry effective October 1, 2023 under HB 6667. A federal court dismissed a constitutional challenge to the ban in March 2026.

Connecticut prohibits firearms in schools, state parks, the Capitol complex, and other locations even with a valid permit.

Federally licensed firearms dealers in Connecticut must retain the transfer document for each firearm sale for at least 20 years, and holders of a permit to sell firearms at retail must perform an annual inventory reconciliation and attest to the DESPP commissioner that it was performed.

Connecticut requires all retail firearms sales to include a trigger lock or gun locking device.

Connecticut requires background checks for firearm transfers, including private sales, through its DESPP authorization number system, subject to statutory exemptions.

CGS 53-202 regulates machine guns through mandatory registration with DESPP, penalties for possession or use for an offensive or aggressive purpose or in a crime of violence, and limited exceptions.

CGS 53-202a defines assault weapons through named model lists, feature-based tests, and 2023 expansions covering arm braces and pre-ban firearms.

CGS 53-202aa makes firearms trafficking a Class B felony with a mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence for offenses on or after Oct. 1, 2013.

CGS 53-202b prohibits the sale, transfer, and distribution of assault weapons in Connecticut, with violations classified as a Class C felony.

CGS 53-202c bans assault weapon possession with a mandatory minimum one-year sentence for felony violations. A valid Certificate of Possession permits possession of the registered weapon only under the conditions in CGS 53-202d(f).

CGS 53-202d establishes the Certificate of Possession system allowing continued legal possession of grandfathered assault weapons registered with DESPP.

CGS 53-202w bans magazines holding more than 10 rounds, with limited grandfathering for magazines declared to DESPP before the statutory deadline.

CGS 53-206 prohibits carrying specific dangerous weapons including switchblades, brass knuckles, and knives whose edged blade portion is four inches or more in length, as a Class E felony.

CGS 53a-217 makes it a Class C felony with a mandatory minimum of 2 years and 1 day in prison, non-suspendable, for convicted felons and other prohibited persons to possess any firearm, ammunition or electronic defense weapon.

CGS 53a-217b makes possessing a firearm or deadly weapon on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity, knowing that one is not licensed or privileged to do so, a Class D felony with limited exceptions for firearms.

ATF changed federal NFA enforcement for SBRs and SBSs on October 9, 2026. Connecticut possession and assault weapon restrictions remain separate. Interstate transportation still requires Form 20.

ATF no longer enforces specified federal NFA registration requirements for suppressors under its October 9, 2026 policy. Connecticut possession restrictions and its hunting prohibition still apply.

Connecticut General Statutes 53a-19 authorizes reasonable physical force to defend oneself or a third person and limits deadly physical force to situations in which the actor reasonably believes the other person is using or about to use deadly physical force or inflicting or about to inflict great bodily harm.

CGS 53a-20 permits reasonable force against criminal trespass and permits deadly force only under its conditions for defense of a person, prevention of arson or a crime of violence, or prevention or termination of unlawful entry by force into a dwelling or place of work.

CGS 53a-21 allows reasonable physical force when and to the extent a person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent an attempt to commit larceny or criminal mischief involving property, or to regain property the person reasonably believes was acquired by larceny within a reasonable time before the use of force. It permits deadly physical force only in defense of person as prescribed in CGS 53a-19.

Connecticut law bars deadly physical force when a person knows they can avoid its necessity with complete safety by retreating, subject to statutory exceptions. A person in their dwelling or place of work is not required to retreat if they were not the initial aggressor.

Connecticut bans firearms carry in state parks and forests under Administrative Code 23-4-1 except as authorized by DEEP. The ban is under legal challenge on appeal to the Second Circuit.

ATF changed federal NFA enforcement for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs on October 9, 2026. Connecticut restrictions still apply. Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to the NFA.