Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-33 establishes the procedural requirements for every sale, delivery, or transfer of a pistol or revolver in the state. No handgun transaction may be completed without strict compliance with this statute, which applies equally to licensed dealers and private sellers.[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(b)
- A valid Permit to Sell Firearms at Retail issued under CGS 29-28(a)
- 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
No sale, delivery, or transfer of any pistol or revolver may occur until the seller obtains an authorization number from the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). This requirement applies to all transactions -- dealer sales, private transfers, and gun show sales alike.[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 applicant is prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under CGS 53a-217c. Connecticut operates as a "point of contact" state, meaning DESPP -- rather than the FBI -- conducts the NICS check directly.[2]
Application and Documentation
Every handgun transaction requires a written application on a form prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of DESPP. The seller must verify the buyer's identity through personal knowledge or through acceptable identification, including a motor vehicle operator's license, a state-issued identity card under CGS 1-1h, or a valid passport.[1]
The completed application must contain the names and addresses of both parties, the buyer's date and place of birth, applicable permit or certificate numbers, the date of sale, the firearm's caliber, make, model, manufacturer's number, and the DESPP authorization number.[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 seller must ensure all questions on the application are answered properly before releasing the handgun. The completed application, attached to the federal sale or transfer document, must be retained for at least 20 years or until the vendor 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 handgun knowing it is stolen, or that its manufacturer's serial number has been altered, removed, or obliterated, is guilty of a Class B felony.[1]
Practical Implications
Connecticut does not impose a fixed statutory waiting period for handgun purchases. However, the process of obtaining the authorization number from DESPP creates an effective delay, as the Commissioner must verify eligibility before issuing the number. Buyers should plan for processing time when purchasing a handgun.