HB 6667 (2023): Connecticut's Omnibus Gun Reform Explained

On June 6, 2023, Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6667 into law as Public Act 23-53.^[1] The law took effect in stages. The sections that added "other" firearms and "pre-ban" firearms to the assault weapons ban and the ghost gun section took effect on passage on June 6, 2023. The ban on carrying a loaded firearm other than a pistol or revolver in a vehicle took effect July 1, 2023. Most other provisions took effect October 1, 2023. The deadline to declare possession of an unserialized firearm manufactured before October 1, 2019, was January 1, 2024, and the deadline to apply for a certificate of possession for a 2023 assault weapon was May 1, 2024.^[2]

Open Carry Ban

HB 6667 banned the open carrying of firearms in public. Effective October 1, 2023, CGS 29-35(a)(2) provides that no person shall knowingly carry any firearm with intent to display such firearm.^[3] The prohibition does not apply in the following situations.

• Within the person's dwelling house, on land leased or owned by the person or within the person's place of business
• While the person is engaged in firearm training or bona fide hunting activity
• When the person has taken reasonable measures to conceal the fact that the person is carrying a firearm. Neither a fleeting glimpse of a firearm nor an imprint of a firearm through clothing is a violation.
• When the person displays a firearm temporarily while engaged in self-defense or other conduct that is otherwise lawful
• Carrying by the officers and other persons listed in CGS 29-35(a)(3), such as peace officers, federal law enforcement agents and members of the armed forces on duty
• Since P.A. 23-203, also on land otherwise possessed by the person, on another person's property when that person has explicitly permitted the display, and for security guards on duty, honor guard and historic reenactment participants and licensed bail enforcement agents

Knowingly carrying a firearm with intent to display it in violation of CGS 29-35(a)(2) is a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses under CGS 29-37(c).^[4]

Expanded Assault Weapons Ban

The law closed two loopholes in Connecticut's existing assault weapons ban.

• Pre-ban loophole eliminated: Prior to HB 6667, CGS 53-202m provided that the assault weapon laws did not limit the transfer or require the registration of a firearm defined as an assault weapon under subdivision (3) or (4) of CGS 53-202a(a) as revised to January 1, 2013, if it was legally manufactured before September 13, 1994. The law repealed the pre-ban exemption in CGS 53-202m and added qualifying semiautomatic firearms legally manufactured before September 13, 1994, to the assault weapon definition.^[5]
• Arm braces added: Semiautomatic firearms other than pistols, revolvers, rifles or shotguns are classified as assault weapons under CGS 53-202a(1)(G) if they have an arm brace or other stabilizing brace that could allow firing from the shoulder.^[2]

A third registration window opened for qualifying owners of newly banned 2023 assault weapons, generally requiring an application to DESPP for a Certificate of Possession by May 1, 2024. Military personnel unable to apply by that date because of official duty outside Connecticut had 90 days after returning to apply.^[6]

Ghost Gun Registration Expansion

Connecticut first banned unregistered ghost guns in 2019. HB 6667 extended the ban to include ghost guns assembled before the 2019 ban took effect. Subject to statutory exceptions, from January 1, 2024, possession of an unserialized firearm requires a declaration to DESPP or a pending application for a serial number from the department. Antique firearms and firearms lawfully possessed and manufactured before December 16, 1968, are exempt. New residents have 90 days to obtain a serial number and permanently affix it to an unserialized firearm, render the firearm permanently inoperable, sell it to a federally licensed firearm dealer, or remove it from Connecticut, with a declaration option for qualifying military transfers. A person who lawfully possessed an unserialized firearm manufactured before October 1, 2019, had to apply to declare possession by January 1, 2024, or, for a military member unable to apply by then because of official duty outside the state, within 90 days of returning to the state.^[3]

Violations of CGS 29-36a carry a Class C felony for persons ineligible to possess firearms and a Class C misdemeanor for persons eligible to possess them.^[6]

Bulk Purchase Limit

Effective October 1, 2023, DESPP may generally issue no more than three retail handgun purchase authorization numbers to a buyer in a 30-day period, or six to a firearms instructor certified by the state or the National Rifle Association. Specified transactions are excluded from these limits under CGS 29-33(f)(2).^[2] The Governor's office said the limit prevents the bulk purchasing of handguns to discourage straw purchases.

Additional Key Provisions

• Age restriction expanded. HB 6667 extended the existing retail restriction to private sales, prohibiting sale, delivery or transfer of a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has or accepts a magazine with a capacity exceeding 5 rounds to anyone under 21, except qualifying transfers to police, DESPP, correction or military personnel for official duties.^[3]
• Expanded safe storage: Ethan's Law (CGS 29-37i) was strengthened so that no person may store or keep any firearm, loaded or unloaded, on premises under the person's control unless the person keeps it in a securely locked box or other container or in a manner a reasonable person would believe to be secure, or carries it on or close enough to the person to readily retrieve and use it. The rule no longer depends on whether a minor or a prohibited or at-risk resident is likely to gain access to the firearm.^[1]
• Trigger lock mandate: Firearms sold at retail in Connecticut must be equipped with a reusable trigger lock, gun lock or gun locking device appropriate for the firearm.^[1]
• Updated training requirements: Pistol permit training courses must include instruction on safe storage in the home and in vehicles, lawful use of firearms, and lawful carrying in public. This requirement applies to applications filed on or after July 1, 2024.^[5]
• Domestic violence disqualifier: A conviction for a Connecticut misdemeanor designated as a family violence crime, or a federal firearms prohibition based on a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, disqualifies an applicant from obtaining a pistol permit.^[6]

What This Means for Gun Owners

Connecticut residents who own firearms affected by HB 6667 should verify compliance with the new provisions. Owners of 2023 assault weapons who missed the May 1, 2024, application deadline may face a Class D felony for possession, subject to statutory exemptions and a Class A misdemeanor for a qualifying first offense under CGS 53-202c. Subject to the exceptions in CGS 29-36a, a person who possesses an unserialized firearm on or after January 1, 2024, without having declared it to DESPP or applied for a serial number violates that section. All gun owners should ensure their firearms are stored in compliance with the expanded Ethan's Law requirements.