Connecticut requires a State Pistol Permit for the concealed carry of pistols and revolvers. The permit is governed by CGS 29-28 and is issued through a two-step process involving both local and state authorities.[1] Connecticut is classified as a may-issue state, meaning the issuing authority retains discretion based on "suitability," though permits are generally issued on a relatively permissive basis following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision.[2]
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Connecticut State Pistol Permit, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:[3]
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be a legal resident of the United States
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no convictions for any of the 11 disqualifying misdemeanors specified in statute
- Not be subject to a protective or restraining order
- Not have been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility
- Not be subject to a risk protection order (red flag order)
- Not be an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States
Out-of-state misdemeanor convictions: Effective October 1, 2025, Public Act 25-43 (HB 7042) expanded the disqualifying misdemeanor provisions to include convictions from other states and jurisdictions.[8] A conviction in another state for an offense that is substantially similar to one of Connecticut's enumerated disqualifying misdemeanors -- including assault in the third degree, threatening, stalking, reckless endangerment, and drug possession -- now bars the applicant from obtaining a permit. The same 20-year lookback period applies to out-of-state convictions. Applicants with misdemeanor convictions from any jurisdiction should review their eligibility carefully or consult a licensed attorney before applying.
Required Firearms Safety Course
Before applying, all applicants must complete a handgun safety course that meets or exceeds the NRA's Basic Pistol Course.[3] The course must include live-fire instruction using actual pistols or revolvers. As updated by HB 6667 (2023), the training must also cover safe storage in the home and vehicle, lawful use of firearms, and lawful carrying in public.[4]
Step 1: Apply at Your Local Police Department
Submit form DPS-799-C to the police department or resident state trooper in your town of residence.[5] The application requires:
- Completed DPS-799-C application form
- Proof of citizenship or legal residency (birth certificate or U.S. passport)
- Government-issued photo identification (driver's license)
- Fingerprints and photographs
- Proof of completed firearms safety course
- Application fee of $70.00 (payable to the local municipality)
The local issuing authority conducts a background investigation and submits fingerprints to the Connecticut State Police and FBI for criminal history record checks. The issuing authority has 8 weeks to approve or deny the application.[1] In practice, processing times vary by municipality and may extend to 14 to 16 weeks or longer.
Step 2: Apply for the State Permit Through DESPP
If the local authority approves the application, the applicant receives a Temporary State Permit valid for 60 days. Within those 60 days, the applicant must apply to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU), for the permanent State of Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers using form DPS-769-C.[2]
The SLFU office is located at 1111 Country Club Rd, Middletown, CT 06457. When visiting SLFU, bring the temporary permit, identification, and the state application fee of $70.[3]
Troop E office closure: The DESPP Troop E pistol permit office has been closed until further notice since August 1, 2025. Applicants in eastern Connecticut who would normally visit Troop E should instead apply at the DESPP headquarters in Middletown or the Troop G location in Bridgeport. Contact SLFU at (860) 685-8290 for current office availability and scheduling.[2]
Permit Duration and Cost
The State Pistol Permit is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.[6] The total statutory fee for an initial permit is $140, consisting of the $70 local application fee and the $70 state permit fee. Additional costs for fingerprinting and photographs vary by municipality, bringing the total out-of-pocket to approximately $240 or more.
What the Permit Authorizes
The State Pistol Permit authorizes the holder to carry concealed pistols and revolvers throughout Connecticut. Open carry has been prohibited statewide since October 1, 2023.[7] The permit also serves as an eligibility credential for purchasing both handguns and long guns, eliminating the need for a separate eligibility certificate.
Permit holders must carry the permit on their person at all times while carrying a firearm and present it to a law enforcement officer on request.[1]
See also: Connecticut Two-Step Pistol Permit: Local to State