HB05435 (2026): Extending Non-Destruction Period for Risk Warrant Seized Firearms

Update: The standalone HB 5435 did not advance, but this policy was enacted as part of Public Act 26-45 (effective October 1, 2026), which extended the seized-firearm retention period and added the related notice requirement.

What the Bill Would Do

House Bill 05435 would amend Section 29-38c(i) of the Connecticut General Statutes — the state's risk warrant (red flag) law^[1]. Connecticut was the first state to enact a risk warrant law (1999), which allows a judge to order the seizure of firearms from individuals deemed to pose an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others.

Under current law, once a risk warrant is terminated, the state must retain seized firearms for at least one year before they may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of. HB05435 would double that non-destruction window from one year to two years. This is a pro-gun-owner protection: it gives individuals whose firearms were seized significantly more time to petition for the return of their property before the state gains authority to permanently dispose of it.

Current Status

HB05435 had a public hearing on March 11, 2026, before the Judiciary Committee^[2]. The bill remains pending in committee.

What to Watch

The bill is narrowly focused on the non-destruction timeline and does not change when hearings must be held or how risk warrants are issued. The practical impact benefits firearm owners who may face delays in navigating the legal process to recover their property. Storage costs and logistical burden on law enforcement agencies holding firearms for a longer period may be a point of discussion in committee. Connecticut's risk warrant law has been used as a model by other states, so changes here could influence national policy.