CGS 29-33:
Handgun Sale, Delivery, and Transfer

Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-33 establishes procedural requirements for sales, deliveries, and transfers of pistols and revolvers in the state, subject to its exemptions. The statute generally applies to licensed dealers and private sellers, but exempts antique pistols and revolvers and specified transfers between federally licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers.^[1]

Who May Purchase a Handgun

No person may purchase or receive any pistol or revolver unless they hold one of the following credentials:^[1]

• A valid State Pistol Permit issued under CGS 29-28(c)
• A valid Permit to Sell Firearms at Retail issued under CGS 29-28(b)
• A valid Eligibility Certificate for a Pistol or Revolver issued under CGS 29-36f

Federal marshals, parole officers, and peace officers are exempt from this requirement.^[1]

The Authorization Number Requirement

For a transaction covered by this section, the seller must obtain an authorization number from the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) before selling, delivering, or transferring a pistol or revolver. This requirement applies to covered dealer sales, private transfers, and gun show sales.^[1]

To obtain the authorization number, the Commissioner performs the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check and makes a reasonable effort to determine whether the transferee is prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under CGS 53a-217c. Under CGS 29-36l(d)(1), DESPP is the point of contact for initiating a background check through NICS on individuals purchasing firearms.^[2]

Transfer Document and Identification

No sale, delivery or other transfer of a pistol or revolver may be made until the person, firm or corporation selling, delivering or transferring it completes a transfer document on a form prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of DESPP and obtains an authorization number. The person receiving the pistol or revolver must be personally known to the seller or transferor or provide evidence of identity in the form of a motor vehicle operator's license, an identity card issued under CGS 1-1h or a valid passport.^[1]

The transfer document must contain the name and address of the transferor and transferee, the date of sale, the caliber, make, model and manufacturer's number and a general description of the pistol or revolver, the identification number of the transferor's and transferee's permit or eligibility certificate, if any, and the authorization number designated for the transfer by DESPP. The transferor must give one copy of the transfer document to the person receiving the pistol or revolver.^[3]

Condition at Transfer

No pistol or revolver may be loaded or contain any gunpowder, explosive, bullet, ball, or shell at the time it is sold, delivered, or transferred. The firearm must be unloaded when it changes hands.^[1]

Record Retention

The transferor must retain one copy of the transfer document for at least five years. If the transferor or transferee is a federally licensed firearms dealer, that dealer must retain the transfer document for at least twenty years or until it goes out of business. These records must be available for inspection during normal business hours by law enforcement officials.^[1]

Penalties

Any person who violates CGS 29-33 is guilty of a Class C felony, for which two years of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court. Additionally, $5,000 of the fine imposed may not be remitted or reduced unless the court states on the record its reasons for doing so. A person who sells, delivers, or transfers a pistol or revolver in violation of CGS 29-33, knowing it is stolen or that its manufacturer's number or other identification mark has been altered, removed, or obliterated, is guilty of a Class B felony, for which three years of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court and $10,000 of the fine imposed may not be remitted or reduced unless the court states on the record its reasons for doing so.^[1]

Practical Implications

Connecticut does not impose a fixed statutory waiting period for handgun purchases. However, no sale, delivery or other transfer may be made until the transferor obtains the authorization number from DESPP, and the Commissioner performs the national instant criminal background check for the transfer. Buyers should plan for processing time when purchasing a handgun.