Connecticut law provides a formal appeals process for any person whose application for a State Pistol Permit, Handgun Eligibility Certificate, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate has been denied, or whose existing permit has been revoked. The Board of Firearms Permit Examiners (BFPE) is the designated appellate body, established under CGS 29-32b.[1]
What the BFPE Is
The BFPE is an eight-member board. All eight members are appointed by the Governor. With the exception of two public members, the Governor's appointees are drawn from nominees of specified state agencies and firearms organizations. At least one member appointed by the Governor must be an attorney licensed in Connecticut and serves as the board's chair during appeal hearings. Board members serve without compensation, but are entitled to reasonable subsistence and travel allowances in the performance of their duties.[2]
Grounds for Appeal
Under CGS 29-32b and the BFPE's appeal guidance, any person aggrieved by any of the following actions may appeal to the BFPE.[3]
- Refusal to issue a pistol permit or eligibility certificate
- Refusal to renew a pistol permit or eligibility certificate
- Limitation placed on a permit or certificate
- Revocation of a permit or certificate
- Refusal or failure of the issuing authority to furnish an application
- Failure of the issuing authority to act on an application within the statutory 8-week period (constructive denial)
Filing Deadline: 90 Days
The appeal must be filed within 90 days of the date the applicant receives notice of the denial, revocation, or limitation. The BFPE states that the 90 days starts on the date listed at the top of the denial or revocation letter.[3]
How to File an Appeal
An appeal begins when the BFPE receives a clear and concise statement of the facts and the relief sought. BFPE provides the following forms and requests a copy of the decision letter if available.[3]
- A one-page appeal letter stating whether a revocation or denial of the pistol permit is appealed and its date
- The three-page appellant questionnaire (provided by the BFPE)
- A copy of the denial or revocation letter, if available
Materials may be sent by mail to:
Board of Firearms Permit Examiners
165 Capitol Ave, Ste. 1070
Hartford, CT 06106
Materials may also be emailed to bfpe@ct.gov, which the BFPE describes as the fastest way to send appeal forms.[3]
Supporting Documentation
Appellants may submit additional documentation to support their case, including:[3]
- Thank-you letters from people or organizations the appellant has helped (letters must specifically address the appellant's denial or revocation of a pistol permit, and letters addressed "To Whom It May Concern" are not accepted)
- DD-214 military discharge certificates
- Job evaluations
Appellants who were admitted under a risk warrant must also include hospital discharge instructions.
The Hearing Process
Once the appeal is filed, the BFPE assigns a tentative hearing date. The hearing is conducted in an informal manner, but otherwise according to the rules of evidence.[3]
- All witnesses are sworn by the chairman, and the board keeps a verbatim transcript of the hearing
- Witnesses testify under oath, and the board has the power to compel attendance at its sessions
- The board deliberates and votes on the matter
Decisions are made by majority vote. The BFPE communicates its written decision to the appellant and the issuing authority within 20 days after rendering the decision.[1]
Special Circumstances
A state-issued Certificate of Eligibility does not authorize carrying pistols or revolvers while a BFPE appeal is pending. It also does not establish suitability to receive or regain a pistol permit. The Board decides suitability after the hearing. BFPE certificate guidance
Expedited Hearings
Appellants whose permit revocation directly affects their current employment may request an expedited hearing by submitting employment documentation to the BFPE.[3]
Constructive Denial Appeals
If a local issuing authority fails to act on an application for a temporary state permit within 8 weeks, the applicant may file an appeal based on the delay. Before filing, the applicant must contact the issuing authority to check the status of the application. The BFPE provides a Form to Appeal Due to the Delay for these cases.[4]
After the Hearing
If the BFPE rules in favor of the appellant:
- Reinstatement: The board orders a revoked permit restored. Contact the issuing authority to continue the process.
- New permit: The board orders the permit issued. Contact the issuing authority to continue the process to issue the permit.
If the BFPE upholds the denial or revocation, the appellant may seek further judicial review through the Connecticut Superior Court under CGS 4-183.[3]
Current Backlog Warning
A November 2025 state audit reported that, as of March 13, 2024, the BFPE had 1,203 unheard cases, including 590 denials and 613 revocations, with hearings scheduled through March 2026.[5] The audit reported that the board met 28 times per year and scheduled 28 hearings per meeting, but received more annual appeals than it could process. This backlog has persisted across the last eight audit reports covering fiscal years 2001 through 2021. In the audit's March 2024 snapshot, hearings were scheduled as far out as March 2026.[5]
BFPE Contact Information
- Address: Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, 165 Capitol Ave, Ste. 1070, Hartford, CT 06106
- Email: bfpe@ct.gov
- Phone: (860) 256-2947