Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-28(b) establishes the eligibility requirements for obtaining a State Pistol Permit and related firearms permits. While felony convictions are a well-known disqualifier, the statute also identifies specific misdemeanor offenses that bar an individual from obtaining or holding a firearms permit. These disqualifying misdemeanors reflect the legislature's determination that certain violent, threatening, or dangerous conduct -- even when charged as a misdemeanor -- demonstrates unsuitability for firearms possession.[1]
The Disqualifying Misdemeanor List
Under CGS 29-28(b), an applicant is ineligible for a permit to carry pistols and revolvers if they have been convicted of a misdemeanor violation of any of the following statutes within the preceding twenty years:[1]
| Statute | Offense | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| CGS 21a-279 | Illegal possession of a controlled substance (other than cannabis) | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-58 | Criminally negligent homicide | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-61 | Assault in the third degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-61a | Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, or pregnant person in the third degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-62 | Threatening in the second degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-63 | Reckless endangerment in the first degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-96 | Unlawful restraint in the second degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-175 | Riot in the first degree | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-176 | Riot in the second degree | Class B misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-178 | Inciting to riot | Class A misdemeanor |
| CGS 53a-181d | Stalking in the second degree | Class A misdemeanor |
Note that the drug offense disqualifier under CGS 21a-279 applies to convictions occurring on or after October 1, 2015.[2]
Out-of-State Misdemeanor Convictions (Effective October 1, 2025)
Public Act 25-43 (HB 7042), effective October 1, 2025, expanded the disqualifying misdemeanor provisions to include convictions from other states and jurisdictions.[4] Prior to this amendment, only Connecticut misdemeanor convictions triggered the disqualification. Under the amended statute, a conviction in another state for an offense that is substantially similar to any of the enumerated Connecticut misdemeanors listed above now bars the applicant from obtaining or holding a State Pistol Permit, Handgun Eligibility Certificate, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate.[5]
This change has practical consequences for several groups:
- New residents: Persons who have moved to Connecticut from another state and carry prior misdemeanor convictions for assault, threatening, stalking, drug possession, or similar offenses should review whether their convictions are substantially similar to the enumerated Connecticut offenses before applying for any firearms permit
- Current permit holders: Existing permit holders who acquire an out-of-state misdemeanor conviction for a substantially similar offense may have their permit revoked
- Applicants with multi-state histories: The disqualification applies to convictions from any U.S. jurisdiction, not just the applicant's previous state of residence
The "substantially similar" standard requires a comparison of the elements of the out-of-state offense with the elements of the corresponding Connecticut statute. Applicants who are uncertain whether an out-of-state conviction qualifies as a disqualifying offense should consult a licensed attorney before submitting a permit application.
The 20-Year Lookback Period
Unlike felony convictions, which permanently disqualify an individual from obtaining a firearms permit, the misdemeanor disqualification has a 20-year lookback period. This means that if 20 years have passed since the date of conviction for a listed misdemeanor -- whether from Connecticut or another state -- the conviction no longer serves as an automatic bar to permit eligibility.[1] However, the issuing authority retains discretion to consider the applicant's overall "suitability" under the may-issue standard, and a past conviction -- even one beyond the 20-year window -- may still factor into that determination.
Family Violence Crimes
In addition to the enumerated misdemeanors listed above, CGS 29-28(b) disqualifies any person convicted of a misdemeanor that is designated as a "family violence crime" as defined in CGS 46b-38a. This is a broad category that includes any crime between family or household members, including assault, threatening, harassment, and stalking when committed in a domestic context.[1] The family violence disqualifier operates independently of the specific misdemeanor list and may capture offenses not otherwise enumerated in the statute.
Federal Disqualifiers
Connecticut applicants must also satisfy federal eligibility requirements under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g). Federal law prohibits firearms possession by persons convicted of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" as defined under federal law, which may differ from Connecticut's state-level definitions. A conviction that does not appear on Connecticut's disqualifying list may still bar possession under federal law.[3]
Impact on Existing Permit Holders
The disqualifying misdemeanor provisions apply not only to new applicants but also to current permit holders. Under CGS 29-32, any permit for carrying a pistol or revolver may be revoked upon conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor -- whether from Connecticut or, as of October 1, 2025, from another state. The issuing authority is required to revoke the permit upon learning of such a conviction.[1] A person whose permit is revoked must surrender all firearms to the issuing authority or to a licensed dealer.
Eligibility Certificates and Ammunition Certificates
The same disqualifying misdemeanors -- including the out-of-state expansion -- apply to Handgun Eligibility Certificates (CGS 29-36f), Long Gun Eligibility Certificates (CGS 29-37p), and ammunition certificates. The eligibility standards are consistent across all Connecticut firearms permits and certificates, meaning a conviction that bars a pistol permit will also bar the applicant from purchasing handguns, long guns, and ammunition.[4]
Appealing a Denial
An applicant who is denied a permit based on a disqualifying misdemeanor may appeal to the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners (BFPE) within 90 days of the denial. The BFPE may consider whether the conviction record is accurate, whether the offense falls within the 20-year lookback period, and whether the applicant has demonstrated rehabilitation. However, as of a 2025 state audit, the BFPE had a backlog of approximately 1,200 cases with an average processing delay of two years.[5]
See also: How to Apply for a Connecticut State Pistol Permit