CGS 53-202a:
Assault Weapon Definitions

Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-202a establishes the legal definition of "assault weapon" for purposes of the state's prohibition on the sale, transfer, and possession of such firearms.^[1] The definition was expanded in 2001, 2013 and 2023 after its original enactment in 1993. The most recent expansion was HB 6667 (Public Act 23-53) in 2023.^[2]

Named Model Lists (Subparagraphs A through D)

The original 1993 ban identified specific firearms by make and model. The named lists include semiautomatic centerfire rifles such as the Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type, the AK-47, AK-74, AKM, AKS-74U, ARM, MAADI AK47, MAK90 and MISR, the AR-15 and its variants, the Beretta AR-70, the FN-FAL and FN-FNC, the SIG 57 AMT and 500 series, the Steyr AUG, and many others. Subparagraphs B through D also cover copies or duplicates with the listed firearms' capabilities that were in production on or before April 4, 2013.^[1] Specific semiautomatic pistols and shotguns are also named.

Feature-Based Tests (Subparagraph E)

Following the 2013 reforms enacted in response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, CGS 53-202a expanded the definition to include any semiautomatic firearm, regardless of the date it was produced, that meets one of the criteria listed below. Physical characteristics criteria were first added to the definition in 2001.^[1]

• Semiautomatic centerfire rifles that can accept a detachable magazine and have a folding or telescoping stock, a grip or stock that places any finger of the trigger hand other than the trigger finger directly below any portion of the action when firing, a flash suppressor, a grenade or flare launcher, or a forward pistol grip. Semiautomatic centerfire rifles with an overall length of less than 30 inches also qualify, regardless of magazine type
• Semiautomatic centerfire rifles with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds
• Semiautomatic pistols that can accept a detachable magazine and have a threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward pistol grip or silencer, a second handgrip, a barrel shroud that permits firing without being burned and is not a slide enclosing the barrel, or a magazine attachment outside the pistol grip. Semiautomatic pistols with a fixed magazine that can accept more than ten rounds also qualify
• Semiautomatic shotguns with both a folding or telescoping stock and a grip or stock that places any finger of the trigger hand other than the trigger finger directly below any portion of the action when firing, or with the ability to accept a detachable magazine. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder also qualifies unless it has been modified to be permanently inoperable

2023 Expansions (Subparagraphs G through I)

HB 6667 (Public Act 23-53) added three new categories of assault weapons, collectively defined as "2023 assault weapons":^[3]

• Subparagraph G: Any semiautomatic firearm other than a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, regardless of production date, that has at least one prohibited feature, including an arm brace or stabilizing brace that could allow the firearm to be fired from the shoulder
• Subparagraph H: Any semiautomatic firearm that meets the criteria in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a as revised to January 1, 2013, and that was legally manufactured prior to September 13, 1994. Former section 53-202m provided that the assault weapon laws did not limit the transfer or require the registration of these firearms. The former pre-ban exemption in CGS 53-202m was repealed effective June 6, 2023.
• Subparagraph I: Any combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon as defined in subparagraphs G or H, or from which such a weapon may be assembled if the parts are in the possession or control of the same person

Key Definitions

The statute also defines supporting terms:^[1]

• "Action of the weapon" means the part of the firearm that loads, fires, and ejects a cartridge, including the upper and lower receiver, charging handle, forward assist, magazine release, and shell deflector
• "Detachable magazine" means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed without disassembling the firearm action

Exclusions

The definition does not include any firearm modified to be permanently inoperable, or unassembled parts of an assault weapon in the possession of a licensed gun dealer or a gunsmith employed by that dealer for servicing or repair of lawfully possessed assault weapons.^[1]

Legal Challenges

Connecticut's assault weapon definition is currently subject to federal court challenges. Both Grant v. Rovella and NAGR v. Lamont challenge the constitutionality of the ban under the Second Amendment following the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision. The Second Circuit affirmed the denial of preliminary injunctions in both cases on August 22, 2025. The Supreme Court granted review in Grant v. Higgins on June 30, 2026 as to the question presented by the petition in Viramontes v. Cook County, No. 25-238, and consolidated the two cases, with argument set for December 2, 2026. The separate NAGR petition, No. 25-421, has no grant or denial recorded on the docket checked October 20, 2026. Grant docket NAGR docket^[4]