Connecticut Concealed Carry Permit Law

Connecticut law requires any person who wishes to carry a pistol or revolver on their person to obtain a valid State Pistol Permit issued under CGS 29-28.^[1] Carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit is prohibited under CGS 29-35, with limited exceptions for carrying within one's own dwelling, on land owned or leased by the carrier, or within the carrier's place of business.^[2]

May-Issue Framework

Connecticut is classified as a may-issue state, meaning the issuing authority has discretion to deny a permit based on a "suitability" determination. In practice, however, permits are issued on a relatively permissive basis, particularly following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which required firearms regulations to be justified by historical analogues.^[3] While Connecticut has not formally converted to a shall-issue system, the practical effect of Bruen has shifted permit issuance toward more objective standards.

Two-Step Permit Process

Connecticut's concealed carry permit system is unique in that it requires a two-step application process:^[4]

Step 1 -- Local Temporary Permit: The applicant submits an application to the local police department or resident state trooper in their town of residence. The local authority conducts a background investigation, collects fingerprints and photographs, and issues or denies a temporary permit within 8 weeks.
Step 2 -- State Permanent Permit: Within 60 days of receiving the temporary permit, the applicant must apply to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) for the full State of Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers. The state permit is valid for 5 years.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a State Pistol Permit:^[5]

Must be at least 21 years old
Must be a legal resident of the United States
Must not have been convicted of a felony
Must not have been convicted of certain specified disqualifying misdemeanors within the preceding 20 years
Must not be subject to a protective or restraining order
Must not have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility
Must complete an approved firearms safety course (such as the NRA Basic Pistol Course or equivalent)

Carry Requirements

Permit holders must carry the permit on their person at all times while carrying a pistol or revolver. The permit must be presented upon the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime, provided the holder is carrying a pistol or revolver that is observed by the officer.^[2] Connecticut does not impose an immediate duty to inform an officer upon contact that the holder is carrying a concealed firearm.

Fees

The statutory permit fee is $140 total ($70 retained by the local authority plus $70 forwarded to the state), along with fingerprinting and photograph fees that vary by municipality. The total out-of-pocket cost is approximately $240 or more. Permit renewal costs $70 and must be completed before the 5-year expiration.^[6]

Reciprocity

Connecticut does not honor concealed carry permits from any other state. Non-residents must obtain a Connecticut Non-Resident Pistol Permit to legally carry in the state. Approximately 25 states recognize Connecticut's permit for purposes of concealed carry in those states.^[3]

Pending Federal Litigation

In Wolford v. Lopez, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on January 20, 2026 on the question of whether Hawaii's requirement that licensed carry holders obtain express advance permission from property owners before carrying on private property open to the public is constitutional under the Second Amendment. A ruling is expected by June or July 2026. Depending on the outcome, the decision could affect how states like Connecticut structure private-property carry rules. Connecticut's current framework permits property owners to prohibit carry through posted notices but does not require holders to obtain express permission before entering.

Connecticut Concealed Carry Law