CGS 53-202c:
Assault Weapon Possession Ban

Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-202c prohibits the possession of any assault weapon as defined in CGS 53-202a, subject to limited exemptions.^[1]

General Prohibition and Penalty

Any person who possesses an assault weapon within Connecticut, except as provided by sections 53-202a through 53-202k and 53-202o, is guilty of a Class D felony.^[1] A Class D felony carries up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. The statute imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of one year imprisonment that may not be suspended or reduced by the court.

First-Offense Reduction for Prior Lawful Possession

A first-time violation is a Class A misdemeanor rather than a Class D felony if the person presents proof of lawful possession at the applicable time specified below and has otherwise possessed the assault weapon in compliance with CGS 53-202d(f).^[1]

• Prior to October 1, 1993, for weapons described in subparagraph A of 53-202a, which includes the original named model list
• On April 4, 2013, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k in effect on January 1, 2013, for weapons described in the definitions added by the 2013 reforms (subparagraphs B through F)
• On June 5, 2023, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k as revised to January 1, 2023, for weapons newly classified under HB 6667 (subparagraphs G through I), including firearms legally manufactured prior to September 13, 1994 that meet the criteria of 53-202a as revised to January 1, 2013, and firearms with arm braces

A Class A misdemeanor carries up to 364 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,000.

Law Enforcement and Government Exemptions

The possession ban does not apply to:^[1]

• DESPP, police departments, the Department of Correction, the Division of Criminal Justice, the Department of Motor Vehicles, DEEP, or military/naval forces
• Sworn and duly certified members of organized police departments, the Division of State Police or the Department of Correction, chief inspectors and inspectors in the Division of Criminal Justice, salaried inspectors of motor vehicles designated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, conservation officers and special conservation officers, and certified constables appointed to perform criminal law enforcement duties, for use in their official duties or when off duty
• Persons who have been issued a valid Certificate of Possession under CGS 53-202d, for possession of the registered assault weapon only under the conditions in subsection (f)
• Licensed gun dealers and federally licensed firearm manufacturers that take possession of an assault weapon for servicing or repair from a person issued a certificate of possession for it, and gunsmiths to whom a licensed gun dealer transfers it for that service or repair

What This Means for Gun Owners

Possession of an unregistered assault weapon is generally a Class D felony in Connecticut, subject to the statutory exemptions and the first-time Class A misdemeanor reduction described above. Any person who owns a firearm that may fall within the assault weapon definition should consult the detailed criteria in CGS 53-202a and consider obtaining legal counsel. Owners who lawfully possessed qualifying weapons before the applicable ban dates should have applied for a Certificate of Possession during the relevant registration window.^[2]

See also: CGS 53-202d: Certificate of Possession for Assault Weapons

See also: Connecticut Assault Weapon Registration Guide