CT Handgun Eligibility Certificate Requirements

Connecticut General Statutes Sections 29-36f through 29-36i establish the Eligibility Certificate for Pistol or Revolver, commonly known as the Handgun Eligibility Certificate. This certificate is required for any person who wishes to purchase or receive a handgun but does not hold a valid State Pistol Permit.^[1] The certificate authorizes purchase only -- it does not authorize concealed or open carry.^[2]

Eligibility Requirements (CGS 29-36f)

Section 29-36f establishes who may apply for a Handgun Eligibility Certificate and the disqualifying conditions. An applicant must be at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of the United States.^[1] The Commissioner of DESPP shall issue the certificate unless the applicant:

Has been convicted of a felony
Has been convicted of any of the specified disqualifying misdemeanors within the preceding 20 years
Has been discharged from custody within the preceding 20 years after being found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect
Has been confined to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the preceding 60 months by order of a probate court
Has been voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital (on or after October 1, 2013) or committed on an emergency certificate by a physician (on or after October 1, 2023) within the preceding six months
Is subject to a restraining or protective order involving the use or threat of physical force
Is subject to a firearm seizure order under CGS 29-38c
Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States
Has been found to pose a risk of imminent personal injury under a risk protection order

Application Process (CGS 29-36g)

Section 29-36g establishes the application procedure. Applicants must submit a request to the Commissioner of DESPP on prescribed forms, providing full information about their criminal record and relevant mental health history.^[3] The Commissioner conducts both state and national criminal history records checks.

Key application requirements include:

Completion of an approved firearms safety course
Submission of fingerprints and photographs
Payment of the applicable fees
Full disclosure of criminal and mental health history

The Commissioner must approve or deny the application within a statutory deadline. If denied, the applicant receives a written explanation and may appeal to the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners (BFPE) within 90 days.^[4]

The names and addresses of certificate holders are confidential and not subject to public disclosure. The certificate applies statewide and is not limited to a particular municipality.^[3]

Fees and Expiration (CGS 29-36h)

Section 29-36h sets the fee at $35 for both the original issuance and each renewal. The certificate is valid for five years from the date it becomes effective, and each renewal is valid for five years from the expiration date of the certificate being renewed.^[2] Additional costs for fingerprinting and photographs (approximately $62) are paid separately and vary by provider.

Revocation (CGS 29-36i)

Section 29-36i provides that any Handgun Eligibility Certificate shall be revoked by the Commissioner of DESPP upon the occurrence of any event that would have disqualified the holder from being issued the certificate in the first place.^[1] This includes new felony convictions, disqualifying misdemeanor convictions, involuntary psychiatric commitments, or the issuance of a restraining order. The revocation takes effect immediately, and the certificate holder must surrender the certificate to DESPP.

Relationship to the State Pistol Permit

A Handgun Eligibility Certificate and a State Pistol Permit serve different functions. The eligibility certificate authorizes purchase only, while the pistol permit authorizes both purchase and carry. A person who holds a valid State Pistol Permit does not need an eligibility certificate to purchase a handgun -- the pistol permit satisfies the purchase requirement.^[2] Many Connecticut residents who do not intend to carry a firearm but wish to keep a handgun in their home choose the eligibility certificate as a less involved alternative to the full pistol permit process.

CGS 29-36f to 29-36i:
Handgun Eligibility Certificate