CT State Pistol Permit & Retail Permit

Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-28 is the foundational statute governing both the permit to carry pistols and revolvers and the permit for the retail sale of firearms in the state.^[1] Administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) through its Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU), this statute establishes Connecticut's distinctive two-step permit system.^[2]

Permit for Sale at Retail

Subsection (a) of CGS 29-28 authorizes the local authority, the chief of police or, where there is no chief of police, the chief executive officer of the municipality (or a designated resident state trooper or state police officer), to issue a permit for the retail sale of firearms in a form prescribed by the Commissioner of DESPP. This permit is required for any person or business that sells pistols, revolvers, or other firearms at retail in Connecticut. The retail permit is valid for five years and carries a $200 fee for both the original issuance and each renewal.^[3] Applicants must demonstrate suitability and comply with all state and federal dealer licensing requirements.

Two-Step Pistol Permit Process

Subsection (b) establishes the permit to carry pistols and revolvers, which follows a two-step process unique to Connecticut:^[4]

Step 1 -- Temporary State Permit: The applicant submits an application to the local police department (or resident state trooper) in their town of residence. The local authority investigates the applicant's background, collects fingerprints and photographs, and determines whether the applicant is "suitable" to receive a permit. The local authority must approve or deny the application within eight weeks.^[5] If approved, the local authority issues a Temporary State Permit, which is valid for 60 days.
Step 2 -- State Permit: Within 60 days of receiving the temporary permit, the applicant must visit a DESPP/SLFU office to obtain the full State of Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers. The state permit is valid for five years.^[2]

Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a permit under CGS 29-28, an applicant must:

Be at least 21 years of age
Be a legal resident of the United States
Have no felony convictions
Have no convictions for specified disqualifying misdemeanors within the preceding 20 years
Not be subject to a protective or restraining order
Not have been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility within specified timeframes
Not be subject to a firearm seizure order under CGS 29-38c

Training Requirement

Applicants must complete an approved firearms safety course prior to applying. For applications filed on or after July 1, 2024, the course must have been completed no earlier than two years before submission. The course must cover, at minimum, the NRA Basic Pistol Course content or its equivalent, including instruction on safe storage in the home and vehicle, lawful use of firearms, and lawful carrying in public.^[1] Current permit holders as of July 1, 2024, are not required to complete additional training for renewal.

Suitability Determination

Connecticut is classified as a may-issue state, meaning the issuing authority retains discretion to determine whether an applicant is a "suitable person" to receive a permit.^[1] The statute does not define "suitability," leaving the determination to the local authority's judgment. In practice, following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, Connecticut permits have generally been issued on a relatively permissive basis.^[6]

Non-Resident Permits

Subsection (b) also provides for non-resident pistol permits. A non-resident must hold a valid carry permit from another state and apply directly to DESPP/SLFU. The non-resident must complete an approved handgun safety course and submit fingerprints and fees. Upon approval, the non-resident receives a temporary permit and must visit an SLFU office within 60 days to obtain the full state permit.^[2]

Confidentiality

CGS 29-28 includes provisions protecting the confidentiality of permit holder information. The names and addresses of permit holders are not subject to public disclosure, providing privacy protections for individuals who obtain either a carry permit or a retail permit.^[1]

CGS 29-28:
State Pistol Permit and Retail Permit