Suppressors and Silencers in Connecticut

Legal Status of Suppressors in Connecticut

Connecticut law restricts possession of suppressors, also called silencers, with an exception for persons licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law to possess them. Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-211 makes the possession of a silencer a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.^[1] However, the statute contains a critical exception: its provisions "shall not apply to persons, firms, corporations or museums licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law to possess, control or own" silencers.^[1]

CGS 53a-211 exempts persons licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law to possess silencers. ATF does not determine whether possessing an unregistered silencer under its nonenforcement policy satisfies that state-law exception. ATF October 9 guidance Federal NFA registration remains available voluntarily under the October 9 ATF policy. ATF October 9 guidance^[2]

Federal Requirements for Suppressor Ownership

The National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53) classifies suppressors as "firearms" under 26 U.S.C. Section 5845(a)(7) and regulates their manufacture, transfer, and possession.^[3] The following describes the NFA registration process, which ATF continues to offer voluntarily for suppressors under its October 9, 2026 policy. Connecticut possession requirements must be assessed separately. ATF October 9 guidance

• For a voluntary transfer registration, the transferor files ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm)^[4]
• Provide FBI Form FD-258 fingerprint cards and a 2-inch x 2-inch frontal photograph taken within six months
• Pass an ATF background check
• ATF approval of the application registers the suppressor to the transferee in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)

The federal NFA transfer tax for suppressors was historically $200 under 26 U.S.C. § 5811. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025) reduced the transfer and making tax for suppressors to $0, effective January 1, 2026. Under its October 9, 2026 policy, ATF does not enforce the specified NFA transfer approval and registration requirements for suppressors. NFA registration is voluntary under that policy. Dealer transfers remain subject to applicable Form 4473 and NICS requirements, and Connecticut restrictions still apply. ATF October 9 guidance^[8]

Hunting Prohibition

Even with proper federal registration, Connecticut law prohibits the use of suppressors while hunting. CGS Section 26-75, located in Title 26, Chapter 490 (Fisheries and Game), states: "No person shall use any silencer on any firearm when hunting."^[6] This prohibition applies regardless of valid NFA registration.

Penalties for Unlawful Possession

Possession of a suppressor without an applicable federal or state-law exemption is a Class D felony under CGS 53a-211, carrying a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.^[1] ATF no longer enforces the specified registration-related prohibitions for suppressors under its October 9, 2026 policy. The NFA statute and its penalties remain, and the policy does not settle Connecticut possession authorization. ATF October 9 guidance^[7]

Practical Considerations

ATF continues to accept voluntary NFA registration. Dealer transfers of suppressors remain subject to applicable Form 4473 and NICS requirements under the GCA. Federal nonenforcement does not determine whether an unregistered suppressor qualifies for possession under Connecticut law. ATF October 9 guidance

ATF does not enforce the federal NFA interstate-transport prohibition for unregistered suppressors under its policy. Connecticut possession restrictions remain separate. ATF October 9 guidance Federal law also prohibits possession of suppressors in or affecting commerce by persons covered by 18 U.S.C. 922(g), including persons with qualifying convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, regardless of federal registration status.

See also: Connecticut NFA Compliance Overview