Source: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0001.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 06:39:51+00:00

Document:
The Connecticut Constitution (Article First, § 15) gives every citizen the right to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state. For regulatory purposes, state law designates four types of firearms: handguns (pistols and revolvers), long guns (rifles and shotguns), assault weapons, and machine guns. The degree of regulation depends on the type of firearm and, for sales and transfers, whether they are being conducted by federally licensed gun dealers (FFLs) or by private sellers not required to be licensed.
With few exceptions, (1) anyone acquiring a handgun in Connecticut, whether from a federally licensed gun dealer or private seller, must have an eligibility certificate or a permit to sell or carry handguns and (2) anyone carrying a handgun must have a permit to carry handguns. No permit or certificate is required to possess lawfully acquired handguns in one's home or at one's place of business.
Anyone buying or otherwise acquiring a handgun in Connecticut, including at a gun show, or applying for a gun permit or eligibility certificate must follow prescribed procedures and meet certain statutory criteria. This includes (1) passing state and national criminal history record checks and (2) in the case of a carry permit, being deemed suitable to get a permit by the official issuing the permit. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) must authorize all handgun transfers, whether by licensed dealers or private sellers. And applicants for a gun permit or eligibility certificate must pass a DESPP-approved course on handgun safety and use.
Certain categories of people may not legally possess handguns or get credentials to carry them. These include (1) convicted felons, (2) illegal aliens, (3) anyone under a court protective or restraining order for using or attempting or threatening to use force against someone, or (4) anyone discharged into the community in the preceding 20 years after being found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect. They also include people who cannot legally possess firearms under federal law because they have been adjudicated as “mental defectives” or been committed to a mental institution, unless their firearm privileges are restored. Federal law contains a court procedure for restoring firearm privileges lost because of a federal commitment or adjudication; state law contains a similar procedure for restoring privileges lost because of a state adjudication or commitment. After the occurrence of any event that makes a person ineligible to continue to possess handguns or the related credentials, he or she must transfer any handguns in his or her possession to an eligible person or surrender them to DESPP.
No permit, certificate, or other credential is required to own, buy, possess, acquire, or carry long guns. But, people buying long guns from licensed gun dealers must follow procedures similar to the handgun procedures and DESPP must authorize the transactions. As is the case of handguns, certain categories of people are barred from possessing long guns, but some people barred from possessing handguns may legally possess long guns. These include people convicted of certain serious misdemeanors.
With limited exceptions, state law bans the sale, use, and possession of assault weapons. People who lawfully owned assault weapons before the ban and duly registered them before October 1, 1994 may continue to possess them subject to certain restrictions. And certain types of assault weapons legally manufactured before September 13, 1994 are exempt from the state transfer and registration requirements. The law also allows possession of certain specified assault weapon models under certain circumstances.
Machine guns are legal if duly registered with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and DESPP. It is illegal to use them for offensive or aggressive purposes, as defined in law, or to transfer them to anyone under age 16.
Gun dealers must be federally licensed and if they sell handguns, they must obtain a local permit to sell them. They must follow specified procedures when selling firearms and meet other criteria in law.
The law, with few exceptions, prohibits carrying firearms at certain locations, such as on school property or in any building where either chamber of the legislature is located or where the legislature is holding a public hearing or meeting.
The law requires people to store loaded firearms in a way that minors under age 16 do not have unauthorized access to them. It prohibits transferring handguns to minors under age 21, except as authorized for temporary use at firing or shooting ranges.
Under limited circumstances and specified procedures, law enforcement officials may get warrants and seize firearms from people posing an imminent risk of harming themselves, someone else, or animals and a court may order the firearms held for up to one year.
Except for banning certain types of .50 caliber ammunition, Connecticut does not regulate ammunition.
In a number of areas, there are related federal laws not discussed in this report.
Pistols and revolvers are usually referred to as handguns. The law defines “pistol” and “revolver” as any firearm having a barrel less than 12 inches long (CGS § 29-27). The law regulates handgun sales by licensed gun dealers and private sellers, irrespective of where the transaction occurs. The provisions generally do not apply to antique firearms.
Federal law requires anyone in the business of selling firearms to have a federal firearms license. Under state law, FFLs who sell handguns must also have a local permit (i.e., a dealer's permit) to sell handguns issued by police chiefs (or borough wardens or first selectmen), as must anyone who sells 10 or more handguns in a calendar year (CGS § 29-28). To get the permit, the applicant must hold a valid eligibility certificate or carry permit and submit documentation showing that the premises where the handguns will be sold comply with local zoning requirements (CGS § 29-28(a)).
With minor exceptions discussed below, anyone carrying handguns in Connecticut must have a gun permit and carry it upon his or her person when carrying a handgun (CGS § 29-35). The gun permit is issued under a two part process. The local official (police chief, borough warden, or first selectman) investigates applicants and issues a temporary state permit, after which the State Police conducts state and national criminal history record checks on the applicants and issues the five-year state permit (CGS § 29-28, 29-28a, & 29-29). The permit allows a person to carry an unlimited number of handguns statewide (CGS § 29-33b). No permit or other credential is required to possess lawfully acquired handguns in one's home or at one's place of business. And, according to the State Police, anyone who lawfully acquired a gun in another state and moves to Connecticut does not need a credential to keep the firearm at his or her home or place of business (see below at Permit or Eligibility Certificate Required to Buy or Get Handguns).
Failure to carry one's permit when carrying a handgun is an infraction punishable by a $35 fine (CGS § 29-37(c)). And carrying a handgun without having obtained a permit is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of up to $1,000, with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Any handgun found in the violator's possession must be forfeited (CGS § 29-37(b)).
The law exempts from the permit requirement Connecticut parole and peace officers; other states' parole or peace officers on official business; federal marshals and law enforcement officers; legally appointed and certified motor vehicle inspectors performing their official duties; U.S. Armed Forces members on, or going to or from, duty; and members of a military organization on parade or going to or from a place of assembly. It also exempts anyone carrying a handgun (1) in its original package from the point of purchase to his or her home or business place, (2) as merchandise, (3) for repair or when moving household goods, (4) to or from a testing range at a firearm permit-issuing authority's request, or (5) to a competition or exhibit under an out-of-state permit (CGS § 29-35).
Any nonresident with a valid out-of-state gun permit may apply directly to the DESPP commissioner for a Connecticut gun permit (CGS § 29-28(f)). Also, bona fide nonresidents permitted to possess and carry handguns in their home state may transport handguns in Connecticut without a Connecticut permit for the purpose of (1) participating in competitions, (2) participating in formal handgun training at a locally approved or permitted firing range or training facility, (3) taking the firearm for repair, or (4) attending meetings or exhibitions of organized gun collectors (CGS § 29-30). And nonresidents may transport handguns without a Connecticut permit through Connecticut for lawful purposes in accordance with federal law if they are not otherwise prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing guns and are transporting them between states where they can legally possess and carry them (CGS § 29-38d).
The fee for an initial gun permit is $140, plus sufficient funds to pay for the Federal Bureau of Investigation national criminal history record checks. The permit is valid for five years and renewable for $70 (CGS § 29-30).
Except for federal marshals and parole and peace officers, anyone acquiring a handgun in Connecticut must be a state resident (a federal requirement) and present a valid gun dealer's permit, handgun eligibility certificate, or handgun permit (CGS § 29-33(b);18 USC §§ 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(b)(3); and 27 CFR §§ 478.29a and 478.30). The eligibility certificate is issued by DESPP and allows an individual to get handguns and keep them at his or her home or business place. It does not authorize the holder to carry handguns upon his or her person.
To get the gun permit or eligibility certificate, an applicant must complete a DESPP-approved handgun safety and use course, pass state and national criminal history record checks, and meet other criteria discussed below (CGS §§ 29-28(b) and 29-36f; see below at People Barred From Possessing Handguns). With regard to the permit, the local official (who issues the temporary state permit) must find that an applicant (1) wants the firearm for lawful purposes and (2) is a suitable person to get a permit. The law does not define suitability. The determination of suitability is left to the official's discretion (CGS § 29-28(b)).
The fee to get or renew an eligibility certificate is $35. The certificate is valid for five years (CGS § 29-36h).
The name and address of anyone issued a gun permit, gun dealer's permit or eligibility certificate are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The information is disclosable only to (1) law enforcement officials performing their duties, including employees of the U.S. Probation Office carrying out their duties; (2) handgun transferors seeking to verify the validity of gun permits or eligibility certificates, to the extent necessary; and (3) the mental health and addiction services commissioner to carry out specified statutes (CGS §§ 29-28(d), as amended by PA 12-177, & 17a-500).
State law bars certain categories of people from acquiring, possessing, or carrying handguns or getting the credentials to acquire, possess or carry them (CGS §§ 53a-217c, 29-28(b), and 29-36f). It requires gun owners to surrender their handguns to DESPP or transfer them to someone eligible after the occurrence of any event that makes them ineligible to possess handguns or other firearms. People who become ineligible because they are the subject of a restraining or protective order may transfer the firearms only to licensed gun dealers (CGS § 29-36k). Illegal possession of a handgun is a class D felony (CGS § 53a-217c; see Table 2).
7. convicted of any felony or specified misdemeanors (CGS §§ 29-28, 29-36f, and 53a-217c).
11. first offenses for possessing (a) controlled or hallucinogenic substances (other than a narcotic substance or marijuana) or (b) more than one-half ounce but less than four ounces of a cannabis-type substance (CGS § 21a-279(c)).
Minimum Age for Possessing Handguns or Getting Credentials. State law does not explicitly set a minimum age for possessing handguns. But an age 21 requirement can conceivably be construed from other laws. The law requires applicants for a gun permit or eligibility certificate to be at least age 21 (CGS §§ 29-28(b)(10) and 29-36f(a)). Also, it prohibits transferring handguns to people under age 21, except temporarily at a target shooting or firing range, if otherwise permitted by law and use is under the immediate supervision of a person eligible to possess handguns. A violation is a class D felony, with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence, plus forfeiture of any handguns found in the violator's possession (CGS § 29-34(b)).
Restoration of Gun Rights. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been “adjudicated as a mental defective” or “committed to a mental institution” from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms or ammunition, unless the person's firearm privileges are restored under a federally approved program.
State law contains a court procedure for restoring such privileges lost because of a state adjudication or commitment. The procedure is similar to the federal procedure governing federal adjudications or commitments. Anyone seeking to regain firearm privileges must petition the probate court for relief. The court must grant relief if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the petitioner will not likely act in a manner dangerous to public safety and (2) granting relief is not contrary to the public interest. The petitioner or DESPP may appeal the decision to the Superior Court (CGS § 45a-100).
All handgun sales and transfers, whether by licensed dealers or unlicensed persons, must conform to specified state procedures, except those (1) between FFLs; (2) made to federal marshals, parole officers, or peace officers; or (3) involving antique handguns (CGS § 29-33).
Under the procedures, buyers must complete a DESPP firearms purchase application. DESPP must conduct a national instant criminal background check on applicants and either deny the transaction or approve it by issuing an authorization number for it.
4. keep the transaction records for law enforcement inspection (application for at least 20 years and receipt for at least five years).
When a buyer takes possession of the handgun, he or she must sign a receipt for it, providing (1) his or her name, address, and occupation; (2) the firearm make, model, serial number, and caliber; (3) the transfer date and authorization number for the transfer; and (4) his or her permit or eligibility certificate number (CGS § 29-33(e)).
The law prohibits handgun transfers in violation of its procedures or to people who (1) cannot legally possess handguns under state law or (2) do not have the appropriate credentials to obtain them (CGS § 29-33(a) and (b)). Any such illegal transfer is a class D felony. It is a class B felony (see Table 2) if the person transferring the firearm knows that it is stolen or that the manufacturer's number or serial number has been removed, defaced, altered, or obliterated (CGS § 29-33(i)). The court may, in some circumstances, suspend prosecution for a first minor violation.
By law, all handguns sold in Connecticut, other than at wholesale, must be equipped with a reusable locking device constructed of material sufficiently strong to prevent it from being easily disabled. The lock must also have a mechanism accessible by key or by electronic or other mechanical assessory specific to the device to prevent unauthorized removal (CGS § 29-33(d)).
Each violation by a dealer carries a fine of at least $500 (CGS § 29-37b).
Rifles and shotguns are referred to as long guns. A rifle is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder using a cartridge to fire a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger. A shotgun is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder using a shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shots or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger (CGS § 53a-3(16) & (17)).
3. is prohibited from transporting or possessing firearms under federal law because of an adjudication as a mental defective or commitment to a mental institution, unless the Treasury Department grants relief from the disability (CGS § 53a-217(a)).
Illegal possession of a long gun is a class D felony with a two-year mandatory minimum prison term (CGS § 53a-217(b)).
State law sets no minimum age for possessing long guns. The only age requirement pertains to hunting licenses. A junior firearms hunting license may be issued to a child between ages 12 and 16 (CGS § 26-27a). (Federal law prohibits FFLs from selling or transferring long guns to people under age 18. But it does not address sales or transfers by non- licensees or possession by minors (18 USC § 922(b) and 27 CFR § 478. 99(b)(1)).
Sales and Transfers by Gun Dealers. The law regulates long gun sales by licensed gun dealers, irrespective of where the transaction occurs. With some exceptions, when gun dealers sell or transfer long guns, the transactions must conform to statutory procedures, the essential elements of which are similar to those governing handgun sales and transfers. As is the case with handguns, (1) the dealer must document the transaction with DESPP and maintain copies of the record, (2) the buyer must undergo a national instant criminal background check, and (3) DESPP must authorize or deny the sale or transfer. Unlike the case with handguns, there is no explicit requirement for the dealer to know the buyer or obtain valid identification (CGS § 29-37a).
The law contains a two-week waiting period for long gun purchases from gun dealers, unless the buyer (1) is a federal marshal, parole officer, or peace officer; (2) holds a valid hunting license, eligibility certificate, or gun permit; (3) is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces; or (4) is buying an antique firearm (CGS § 29-37a(b)). The law also exempts these people and transactions from provisions requiring (1) buyers to sign a receipt for the firearm and provide certain information on themselves and the firearm and (2) dealers to send this documentation to state and local police officials (CGS § 29-37a(b)).
Sales and Transfers by Private Sellers. Except perhaps at gun shows, Connecticut does not regulate private sales and transfer of long guns. The gun show provision is unclear. The law requires people selling or otherwise transferring firearms at gun shows to comply with CGS § 29-36l (CGS § 29-37g(c)). But CGS § 29-36l contains procedures for verifying eligibility of people seeking to buy (1) handguns from anyone and anywhere in the state and (2) long guns from gun dealers anywhere in the state. It does not appear to apply to people buying long guns from private sellers at gun shows. Thus, it is unclear if private sellers of long guns at gun shows have to seek DESPP authorization for sales or transfers and whether such buyers have to undergo criminal history record checks.
The law contains no specific penalty for transferring long guns to ineligible persons or violating the transfer procedures (CGS § 29-37a).
The law defines an “assault weapon” as (1) any selective-fire firearm capable of fully automatic, semiautomatic, or burst fire at the user's option; (2) any of a list of named firearms; or (3) any unlisted semi-automatic rifle or pistol that can accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of specified features; or (4) a part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon (CGS § 53-202a).
By law, with limited exceptions, it is illegal for anyone to (1) possess assault weapons, unless he or she possessed the weapon before October 1, 1993, registered it with DESPP before October 1, 1994, and received a DESPP certificate of possession for it, or (2) sell, give, transfer, distribute, or transport assault weapons (CGS § 53-202b and 53-202d). Illegal possession of an assault weapon is a class D felony, with a mandatory minimum one-year prison term. A first-time violation is a class A misdemeanor (see Table 2) if the violator can prove that he or she possessed the weapon before October 1, 1993 and otherwise complies with the law (CGS § 53-202c). Illegally transferring or carrying an assault weapon is a class C felony (see Table on Penalties), with a two-year mandatory minimum prison term or, in the case of transfers to people under age 18, an additional six-year mandatory minimum (CGS § 53-202b).
The law (1) exempts from the assault weapon ban law enforcement officers, correction officials, and military and naval personnel discharging their official duties and (2) allows estate executors and administrators to possess registered weapons from a person's estate under probate court orders (CGS § 53-202c). Also, anyone, except a member of the military, who moves into Connecticut with a lawful assault weapon has 90 days to (1) render it permanently inoperable, (2) sell it to a licensed gun dealer, or (3) take it out of state. Members of the military who move to Connecticut, after October 1, 1994, have 90 days to get a certificate of possession for any legally possessed assault weapon (CGS §§ 53-202d(b)).
Certain assault weapons defined by criteria, rather than specific name, are exempt from the state transfer restrictions and registration requirements if they were legally manufactured before September 13, 1994 (CGS § 53-202m).
The law also allows possession of certain specified assault weapon models under certain circumstances. A person may possess an Auto-Ordnance Thompson type, Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47type, MAC-10, MAC-11, or MAC11 Carbine type assault weapon if (1) it was obtained in good faith on or after October 1, 1993 and before May 8, 2002, (2) the possessor is not prohibited from possessing the weapon under any other law, and (3) the possessor notified DESPP before October 1, 2003 that he or she possessed the specific weapon (CGS § 53-202n).
5. while transporting the weapon between any of the above permitted places or to a licensed firearm dealer for servicing or repair (CGS § 53-202d(d)).
When being transported, assault weapons must be unloaded and, if transported in a vehicle, kept in the trunk or in a case or container inaccessible to the vehicle operator or passengers. A violation carries a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to three years, or both (CGS § 53-202f).
One may dispose of a registered assault weapon by transferring it to a licensed gun dealer or, after making arrangements to relinquish it, a police department or DESPP, following guidelines for transporting assault weapons (CGS §§ 53-202d(b) and 53-202e).
The law provides that the laws governing assault weapons should not be construed to prohibit manufacturers from manufacturing or transporting assault weapons to sell (1) out-of-state or (2) in state to DESPP, police departments, the Correction Department, or military or naval forces for official use (CGS § 53-202i).
The name and address of anyone issued a certificate of possession for an assault weapon are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The information is disclosable only to (1) law enforcement agencies and employees of the U.S. Probation Office performing their duties and (2) the mental health and addiction services commissioner to carry out specified statutes (CGS § 53-202d, as amended by PA 12-177).
State law defines a “machine gun” as any weapon, loaded or unloaded, that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically more than one projectile by a single function of the trigger without manual reloading. This includes any part or combination of parts designed to assemble, or convert a weapon into, a machine gun (CGS § 53-202(a)).
With limited exceptions for firearms made inoperable by welding or manufactured for the United States and state and local governments, the law requires anyone who owns a machine gun to register it with DESPP within 24 hours of acquiring it and annually thereafter on July 1 (CGS § 53-202(g)). The application must show the firearm model and serial number; the applicant's name, address and occupation; and the person from whom and purpose for which the firearm was acquired.
Manufacturers must maintain a register of machine guns they manufacture or handle. For each such firearm, the register must show the (1) model and serial number; (2) date of manufacture, sale, loan, gift, delivery, or receipt; (3) name, address, and occupation of the transferor and transferee; and (4) purpose for which it was acquired. Manufacturers must make their registers and gun stock available for law enforcement inspection. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 (CGS § 53-202(f)).
5. is empty or loaded projectiles are found in its immediate vicinity (CGS § 53-202(d)).
Using or possessing a machine gun for an offensive or aggressive purpose is punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine, imprisonment for five to 10 years, or both (CGS § 53-202(c)). Using a machine gun while committing a violent crime is punishable by imprisonment for 10 to 20 years.
The law prohibits transferring, selling, or giving machine guns to minors under age 16, including temporarily transferring the weapon to them for use in target shooting or on a firing or shooting range or for any other purpose (CGS § 53-202(c)). A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both.
In addition to the laws governing sales described above, a number of other provisions regulate gun dealers.
Gun dealers must install burglar alarms on their premises where 10 or more firearms are stored or kept for sale. The alarm system must be directly connected to the local police department or monitored by a central station. It must activate upon unauthorized entry or interruption (CGS § 29-37d).
3. have successfully completed a DESPP-approved course or test in firearm safety and statutory procedures relating to the sale of firearms (CGS § 29-37f).
An employer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for each violation.
Gun dealers may sell handguns only in the room, store, or other place described in their permit to sell handguns, and they must display the permit in the location identified in the permit (CGS § 29-31).
Open v. Concealed Carrying of Handguns. Neither the permit to carry handguns nor state law specifies how handguns should be carried, i.e., concealed or openly.
Carrying Firearms on School Property. It is illegal, with some exceptions, to possess firearms on any elementary or secondary school property or at any school-sponsored event knowing that one is not licensed or privileged to possess such firearms. A violation is a class D felony.
3. crossing school property with an unloaded firearm to hunt, provided entry on the school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education (CGS § 53a-217b).
Carrying Firearms in Public Buildings. The law, with minor exceptions, bars people from carrying firearms in any building (1) where either House of the General Assembly is located; (2) in which the office of any legislator or legislative officer, employee, or committee is located; or (3) where a legislative committee is holding a public hearing. The law exempts police officers, military personnel on official duty, and veterans serving as honor guards (CGS § 2-1e(c)). A violation is a class D felony.
Carrying Handguns in Motor Vehicles. By law, when handguns are being transported in a motor vehicle, they must be unloaded and kept in a place (1) not readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment or (2) locked container other than the glove compartment or console. A violation carries a penalty of one to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, with a mandatory minimum one-year sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Any handgun found in the violator's possession must be forfeited (CGS §§ 29-35 and 29-37).
Carrying Long Guns in Motor Vehicles When long guns are being transported in a vehicle or snowmobile, they must be unloaded. A violation is a class D misdemeanor (see Table on Penalties), punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 days, a fine of up to $250, or both (CGS § 53-205 as amended by PA 12-80). The provisions do not apply to members of the military while on duty or travelling to or from assignments enforcement officers, security guards, or other people employed to protect property while in the performance of their duties.
Carrying Handguns where Prohibited. People are barred from possessing or carrying handguns on any premises where prohibited by law or by the person who owns or exercises control over the premises (CGS § 29-28(e)). A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, and forfeiture of any handgun found in the violator's possession (CGS § 29-37).
The law prohibits people from storing loaded firearms on their premises if they know or reasonably should know that a minor (someone under age 16) is likely to gain access to them without the minor's parent's or guardian's permission (CGS § 29-37i). This does not apply if the firearm is locked up or in a location that a reasonable person considers to be secure, or the person carries it on his or her person or close enough so that he or she can readily retrieve it (CGS § 29-37i). A person is strictly liable for damages if a minor obtains an unlawfully stored firearm and uses it to injure or kill himself or someone else. It is also a class D felony unless the minor obtained the firearm from unlawful entry (CGS §§ 53a-217a and 52-571g).
Any parent or guardian of a minor who knows that the child possesses a firearm and fails to make reasonable efforts to halt such possession is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. If the child causes the injury or death of someone else with the firearm, the violation is a class D felony (CGS § 53-206f).
The law allows any two police officers (or a state's attorney), under limited circumstances, to get warrants and seize guns from anyone who poses an imminent risk of injuring himself or herself, someone else, or animals. The officials may seek the warrant only after (1) conducting an independent investigation to establish probable cause and (2) determining that no reasonable alternative exists to avert the risk of harm.
5. illegally used controlled substances.
If satisfied that probable cause exists and there is no reasonable alternative to prevent the person from causing imminent harm, the judge must issue the warrant (CGS § 29-38c; see OLR Report 2009-R-0306 for the most current gun seizure discussion).
Lawful owners of any firearm lost or stolen must file a police report within 72 hours after they discover or should have discovered the loss or theft. The report must be made to the local police department for the town in which the loss or theft occurred or the State Police troop having jurisdiction. The receiving department or troop must forward a copy of the report to the DESPP commissioner.
A first-time unintentional failure to report by the deadline is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $90; a subsequent unintentional failure is a class D felony. Any intentional failure to report is a class C felony. The law specifies that a first-time violator does not lose the right to possess a gun permit (CGS § 53-202g).
With limited exceptions, anyone who knowingly distributes; transports; brings into the state; or gives, sells, or offers to sell the prohibited ammunition to anyone is guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a first violation and a class D felony for a subsequent violation (see OLR Report 2012-R-390).
Some offenses are included in more than one category. For example, an offense involving the use of an assault weapon is included in both the “firearm use” category and “assault weapons” category.
CGS § 53-202j imposes a mandatory minimum eight-year sentence on anyone who uses, threatens to use, displays, or purports to have an assault weapon while committing a class A, B, or C felony. CGS § 53-202k imposes a mandatory minimum five-year sentence on anyone who uses, threatens to use, displays, or purports to have a firearm other than an assault weapon while committing a class A, B, or C felony. In both cases, the sentence is in addition and consecutive to any imprisonment for the felony. The offenses on Table 1 subject to the additional sentence are marked with an asterisk.
3. third-degree sexual assault with a firearm.
*All of the use offenses, classified as A, B, or C felonies carry an additional five-year mandatory minimum prison term except those involving an assault weapon, which carry an eight-year mandatory minimum.

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