Overview of the National Firearms Act
The National Firearms Act (NFA), codified at 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, is the federal law governing the manufacture, transfer, and possession of certain categories of firearms and accessories. Originally enacted in 1934, the NFA imposes registration and tax requirements on items classified as "NFA firearms" under 26 U.S.C. Section 5845.[1] Connecticut residents must comply with both federal NFA requirements and state-specific laws when possessing these items.
NFA Item Categories and Connecticut Legality
The NFA regulates six categories of items. Connecticut's treatment of each category varies:[2]
| NFA Category | Federal Definition | Connecticut Status |
|---|---|---|
| Suppressors (Silencers) | Any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(7)) | Legal with federal NFA registration; prohibited for hunting (CGS 26-75) |
| Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR) | Rifle with barrel under 16 inches or overall length under 26 inches (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3)-(4)) | Legal with federal NFA registration; must comply with assault weapon laws |
| Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBS) | Shotgun with barrel under 18 inches or overall length under 26 inches (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(1)-(2)) | Legal with federal NFA registration under CGS 53a-211 exemption |
| Machine Guns | Any weapon that shoots automatically more than one shot by a single function of the trigger (26 U.S.C. 5845(b)) | Restricted; see state-specific rules under CGS 53-202 |
| Destructive Devices | Explosives, incendiary devices, or weapons with bore over 0.50 inches (26 U.S.C. 5845(f)) | Legal with federal NFA registration |
| Any Other Weapon (AOW) | Concealable weapons capable of firing a shot, not fitting other categories (26 U.S.C. 5845(e)) | Legal with federal NFA registration; some configurations affected by HB 6667 |
Machine Gun Restrictions in Connecticut
Connecticut imposes additional state-level requirements on machine guns beyond the federal NFA process. Under CGS Section 53-202, machine gun owners must register their firearms with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) within 24 hours of acquisition and renew that registration annually on July 1.[3]
Following the 2013 reforms and the subsequent 2023 changes under HB 6667, machine guns that are capable of only fully automatic fire may be possessed if they were owned before the applicable ban dates and properly registered. Select-fire weapons -- firearms capable of both semiautomatic and fully automatic operation -- are classified as assault weapons under CGS 53-202a and are subject to the state's assault weapon ban provisions.[4]
Failure to register a machine gun with DESPP creates a legal presumption that the firearm is possessed for an offensive or aggressive purpose, which carries a penalty of 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine. Use of a machine gun during a violent crime carries 10 to 20 years of imprisonment.[3]
Federal NFA Registration Process
The ATF administers the NFA registration process through two primary pathways:[5]
- ATF Form 4 (Transfer): Used to transfer an existing NFA item from a licensed dealer or another individual. Requires submission of fingerprints, photographs, a background check, and registration of the item in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR).
- ATF Form 1 (Making): Used when an individual manufactures an NFA item, such as shortening a rifle barrel to create an SBR. Approval must be received before making the item.[6]
NFA items may be registered to individuals, to a trust (commonly called a "gun trust" or "NFA trust"), or to a corporation or legal entity. Using a trust allows multiple trustees to legally possess the NFA item and can simplify future transfers.[2]
Federal NFA Transfer Tax
The federal NFA transfer and making tax was historically $200 per item under 26 U.S.C. § 5811 and § 5821. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025) reduced both taxes to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons (AOWs), effective January 1, 2026. The $200 tax still applies to machine guns and destructive devices. The tax change does not repeal the NFA, so registration, the Form 1 or Form 4 filing, fingerprints, and the background check all remain required. The registration process -- including Form 1 or Form 4 filing, fingerprints, photographs, and background check -- is required for all transfers regardless.[7]
Connecticut-Specific Compliance Considerations
Connecticut does not require a separate state registration or permit for most NFA items (other than machine guns). However, several state-level considerations apply:
- Assault weapon interaction: An NFA item that also meets the definition of an assault weapon under CGS 53-202a -- such as a semiautomatic SBR with prohibited features -- may require a Certificate of Possession or conversion to a compliant configuration.[8]
- Suppressor hunting ban: CGS Section 26-75 prohibits the use of suppressors while hunting, regardless of valid federal registration.[9]
- State pistol permit: Persons who wish to carry an NFA handgun (such as an AOW or registered pistol with a short barrel) must hold a valid Connecticut State Pistol Permit under CGS 29-28.[10]
- Prohibited persons: Individuals who are disqualified from possessing firearms under Connecticut law (felons, persons subject to protective orders, persons involuntarily committed) may not possess NFA items regardless of federal registration.
Federal Penalties for NFA Violations
Possession of an unregistered NFA firearm violates 26 U.S.C. Section 5861 and is punishable under 26 U.S.C. Section 5871 by up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.[11] State-level penalties may apply simultaneously. For example, an unregistered suppressor could result in both a federal NFA violation and a Class D felony under CGS 53a-211, while an unregistered SBR with prohibited features could trigger both federal charges and Connecticut assault weapon possession charges under CGS 53-202c.