As part of the comprehensive gun reform package enacted through HB 6667 (Public Act 23-53) in 2023, Connecticut expanded its requirements for safety devices that must accompany firearms sold at retail. These provisions, codified primarily in CGS 29-37b and related sections, require retailers to equip firearms with trigger locks and mandate that handgun manufacturers include loaded chamber indicators on firearms sold in the state.[1]
Trigger Lock Requirement
Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-37b requires that any person, firm, or corporation engaging in the retail sale of firearms must equip each firearm sold with a reusable trigger lock, gun lock, or gun locking device.[2] The device must meet two standards:
- It must be constructed of material sufficiently strong to prevent it from being easily disabled.
- It must have a locking mechanism accessible by key, or by an electronic or other mechanical accessory specific to the device, to prevent unauthorized removal.
Prior to 2023, this requirement applied only to the sale of pistols and revolvers. HB 6667 expanded the trigger lock mandate to cover all firearms sold at retail, including rifles and shotguns.[3]
Written Warning Requirement
In addition to providing the physical locking device, retailers must provide the purchaser with a written warning at the time of sale. This warning must inform the buyer about the penalties for unlawful storage of firearms under CGS 29-37i (Ethan's Law) and CGS 53a-217a (criminally negligent storage).[2] The purpose of this notice is to ensure that new firearm owners are immediately aware of their legal obligation to store firearms securely.
Loaded Chamber Indicator Requirement
HB 6667 also introduced a requirement that semiautomatic handguns sold in Connecticut must be equipped with a loaded chamber indicator -- a visual or tactile device that shows whether a round is chambered in the firearm.[3] This requirement applies to manufacturers and importers who sell handguns to Connecticut dealers. Many modern semiautomatic handguns already include loaded chamber indicators as standard features, but the law ensures that all handguns entering the Connecticut retail market meet this safety standard.
Penalties for Retailers
A retail firearms dealer who fails to provide the required trigger lock or written warning with a firearm sale faces penalties under CGS 29-37b. Violations may result in fines and may affect the dealer's permit to sell firearms at retail under CGS 29-28.[2]
Practical Implications
For gun buyers, the trigger lock provided at the time of purchase serves as a baseline storage device. However, relying solely on a trigger lock may not fully satisfy the safe storage requirements of Ethan's Law, which requires firearms to be "securely locked in a box or other container." A trigger lock alone, while a useful safety tool, may not meet the statutory standard if the firearm itself is left in an accessible location. Gun owners should consider using a lockbox or gun safe in addition to the provided trigger lock for full compliance with Connecticut's storage laws.[4]