Source: http://lawcenter.giffords.org/category/connecticut/
Timestamp: 2017-10-19 09:19:11
Document Index: 507815004

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 29', '§ 52', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 29', '§ 29', '§ 46', '§ 53', '§ 29', '§ 922', '§ 29', '§ 29', '§ 29', '§ 29', '§ 29', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 53', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 53']

Connecticut | Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Assault Weapons in Connecticut
Is not in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 53-202a to 53-202k (assault weapon regulations), and Connecticut General Statutes § 53-202o (affirmative defense in prosecution for possession of specified assault weapon).1
The state also prohibits any person from distributing, transporting, importing into the state, keeping, offering or exposing for sale, or giving an assault weapon to any person.2
Connecticut bans a part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon as defined under Connecticut law and any combination of parts from which such an assault weapon may be assembled if possessed by, or under the control of, the same person.15
Any firearm that has been permanently rendered inoperable is not an assault weapon.16 In addition, a part or combination of parts of an assault weapon, that are not assembled as an assault weapon, when in the possession of a licensed gun dealer or a gunsmith employed by a dealer for the purposes of servicing or repairing lawfully possessed assault weapons, do not constitute an assault weapon.17
Grandfathering of Assault Weapons
A person who lawfully possessed an assault weapon prior to October 1, 1993 may continue to possess the weapon if he or she obtained a certificate of possession.18
For assault weapons banned under the expanded definition in the Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety Act, effective June 18, 2013, anyone who legally possessed one of the newly banned weapons on or after April 4, 2013, but prior to June 18, 2013, who is eligible for a certificate of possession, may continue to possess the weapon by applying to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) for such certificate by January 1, 2014.19 A member of the U.S. military who is unable to apply by January 1, 2014, because he or she is out of state on official duty, has 90 days after returning to Connecticut to apply for a certificate.20 The certificate must contain a description of the firearm that identifies it uniquely, including all identification marks, the owner’s full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint, and any other information that DESPP deems appropriate.21
Connecticut prohibits any person with a certificate of possession for any of the assault weapons added on April 4, 2013, from: 1) Selling or transferring the weapon in Connecticut to anyone except a licensed gun dealer; or 2) Otherwise transferring the weapon except by bequest or intestate succession.22 Any person who inherits an assault weapon for which a certificate was issued has 90 days to apply for a certificate or sell the weapon to a licensed gun dealer, permanently disable it, or take it out of state.23
Anyone who moves into Connecticut in lawful possession of an assault weapon has 90 days to make it permanently inoperable, sell it to a licensed gun dealer or take it out of state.24 Military service members transferred to Connecticut in lawful possession of an assault weapon may apply to DESPP for a certificate within 90 days of arriving in the state.25
Under Connecticut law, anyone who possesses an assault weapon for which a certificate has been issued may possess it only at specified locations, such as his or her home or business, at a licensed shooting club, or at a target range that holds a license for practicing target shooting.26
Any person who obtained a certificate of possession for an existing assault weapon before April 5, 2013, for a weapon the Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety Act of 2013 defines as an assault weapon, is deemed to have obtained a certificate of possession for such assault weapon and will not be required to obtain a separate certificate.27
Connecticut prohibits the transfer of most grandfathered weapons.28
A person issued a certificate of possession may possess his or her registered assault weapon at:
His or her residence, property or business;
Property owned by another with the owner’s express permission;
Certain target ranges or shooting clubs; and
A firearms exhibition, display or educational project.29
A person may also possess a registered assault weapon while transporting the weapon to or from a permitted location noted above or to a licensed gun dealer for repair.30 When transported, an assault weapon must be unloaded and, if transported in a vehicle, kept in the trunk or in a case or container that is inaccessible to the operator or any passenger of the vehicle.31
When a person wishes to dispose of a registered assault weapon, he or she may transfer the weapon only to a licensed dealer, a police department or DESPP.32 A person who possesses a registered assault weapon must report the loss or theft of the weapon within 72 hours of the time the person discovered or should have discovered the loss or theft.33
An assault weapon defined under Connecticut General Statutes § 53-202a(a)(3) and (4) (an assault weapon defined by criteria rather than specific name) is exempt from state transfer restrictions and registration requirements if it was legally manufactured prior to September 13, 1994.34
Connecticut also allows possession of certain specified assault weapon models under certain circumstances. The state allows a person to possess an Auto-Ordnance Thompson type, Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type, MAC-10, MAC-11 or MAC-11 Carbine type assault weapon if:
It was obtained in good faith on or after October 1, 1993 and before May 8, 2002;
The possessor is not prohibited from possessing the weapon under any other law; and
The possessor has notified DESPP, prior to October 1, 2003, that he or she possesses the specified assault weapon.35
Connecticut provides that nothing contained in the state’s assault weapon regulations shall be construed to prohibit any person or corporation engaged in the business of manufacturing assault weapons from manufacturing or transporting assault weapons for sale: 1) Within the state to the DESPP, law enforcement, the Department of Correction, other specified state agencies, or military or naval forces; or 2) For sale outside the state.36
Connecticut allows the sale of assault weapons to the Department of Correction, DESPP, police departments, and military or naval forces for use in their official duties, as well as for off-duty use.37 Possession is allowed by members or employees of these entities for use in the discharge of their official duties. Connecticut permits sales to and possession by: 1) Employees of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensee operating a nuclear power plant in Connecticut for the purpose of providing security; or 2) Any person, firm, corporation, contractor, or subcontractor providing security at the plant.38
Finally, for assault weapons for which a certificate of possession is issued, Connecticut allows weapons to be possessed or received, under certain circumstances, by:
Executors or administrators of an estate that includes an assault weapon for which a certificate has been issued;
Gun dealers; and
Gunsmiths.39
Similarly, Connecticut allows for: 1) Individuals to arrange to relinquish a weapon to a police department or DESPP;40 2) Temporary transfers or possession for certain out-of-state events;41 and 3) Weapons to be transported to or from a shooting competition or exhibition, display, or educational project about firearms sponsored, conducted by, approved or under the auspices of a law enforcement agency or a national or state-recognized entity that fosters proficiency in firearms use or promotes firearms education.42
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202c(a), (c). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202b(a)(1). State law also specifically prohibits the transfer, sale or giving of an assault weapon to a person under age 18. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202b(a)(1). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(A)(i). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(i). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(iv). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(vi). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(ii), (iii). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(v). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(vii). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(E)(viii). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(B). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(C). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(1)(D). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202a(1)(F), 53-202a(1)(A)(ii). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a(2). ⤴︎
See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(a)(1), Conn. Agencies Regs. §§ 53-202d-1—53-202d-5, and the Registration of Firearms in Connecticut section for further information. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(a)(2)(A). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(b)(2). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(d). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(f). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat.§ 53-202d(a)(3). ⤴︎
See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(b), (c). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d(f)(6). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202f(a). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202d(b)-(d); 53-202e. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202m. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202n(a), (b). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202i. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202i, 53-202b(b)(1). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202b(b)(1); 53-202c(b). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202b, 53-202c(e), 53-202d(b), 53-202f. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202e. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202h. ⤴︎
Child Access Prevention in Connecticut
Connecticut prohibits any person from storing or keeping a loaded firearm on his or her premises or under his or her control if he or she knows or reasonably should know that a minor (person under age 16) is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the minor’s parent or guardian.1 A person is not criminally liable for this prohibition if his or her firearm is securely locked in a box or other container in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure, or the person carries the firearm on his or her person or within such close proximity that he or she can readily retrieve and use it as if it were on his or her body.2 A person who violates this safe storage requirement shall be held strictly liable for damages when a minor obtains the unlawfully stored firearm and causes injury to or the death of any person.3
A person is liable for “criminally negligent storage of a firearm” when he or she does not comply with the aforementioned safe storage requirements and a minor (person under age 16) obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to himself, herself or any other person.4
Connecticut specifically penalizes any parent or guardian of a minor child who, knowing that the child possesses a firearm and is ineligible to possess such firearm, fails to make reasonable efforts to halt the possession.5
As of October 1, 2013, the above safe storage requirements and related liability rules also apply if a person knows or should know that a resident of the premises:
1) Is ineligible to possess firearms under state or federal law; or
2) Poses a risk of imminent personal injury to himself, herself or others.6
For other measures related to child access prevention, see the Connecticut Locking Devices section.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37i. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-571g. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217a(a). This prohibition does not apply if the minor gains access to the firearm via illegal entry of any premises where the gun is located by any person. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217a(b). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206f. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-37i, 52-571g, and 53a-217a. ⤴︎
Concealed Weapons Permitting in Connecticut
Connecticut requires any person that seeks to carry a pistol or revolver to obtain a permit.1 No permit is needed to carry a pistol or revolver within one’s own “dwelling house or place of business.”2
Connecticut is a “may issue” state, meaning that local law enforcement has discretion in determining whether or not to issue a permit to carry a handgun to an applicant.3
Connecticut’s permitting law does not distinguish between carrying a handgun concealed and carrying openly. A chief of police, warden or selectman may issue a permit to carry a handgun to a person who:4
Has a bona fide residence or place of business within the jurisdiction in which he or she is applying;
Intends to make only lawful use of the handgun for which the permit will be issued;
Is a “suitable person” to receive a permit;
Has successfully completed a course approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in the safety and use of handguns;
Has not been convicted of a felony or of a violation of:
Assault in the third degree or assault in the third degree of an elderly, blind, pregnant, or disabled person, or a person with an intellectual disability;
Riot in the first or second degree or inciting to riot; or
Has not been convicted as a delinquent for the commission of a serious juvenile offense;5
Has not been discharged from custody within the preceding 20 years after having been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect;6
Has not been confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the preceding 12 months by order of a probate court;
Is not subject to a firearms seizure order issued for posing risk of imminent personal injury to self or others after notice and a hearing;7
Is not prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing or receiving a firearm pursuant to the mental health prohibitions under federal law;8
Is not an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States; and
Any person violating the concealed weapons permitting provisions will, in addition to other criminal penalties, be forced to forfeit any handgun found in his or her possession.9
Connecticut requires that applicants for a state concealed weapons permit first successfully complete a course approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in the safety and use of pistols and revolvers including, but not limited to, a safety or training course in the use of pistols and revolvers available to the public offered by a law enforcement agency, a private or public educational institution or a firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and a safety or training course in the use of pistols or revolvers conducted by an instructor certified by the state or the National Rifle Association.10
A permit to carry a handgun is valid for up to five years from the date the permit became effective.11 Each renewal permit is valid for five years.12 Connecticut enacted a law in 2011 allowing individuals to renew permits by mail.13 There is no safety training requirement upon renewal.
Connecticut does not allow personal application or permit information of concealed weapons permit holders to be made public. The name and address of a person issued a state permit to carry a handgun or a local permit to carry a handgun issued prior to October 1, 2001 (the effective date of the law authorizing state-issue permits in place of local permits), may not be disclosed, except to:
Law enforcement officials acting in the performance of their duties;
Firearms transferors making requests for verification that such state, local or temporary state permit is still valid and has not been suspended or revoked; and
The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for persons subject to an order of mental health commitment.14
A bona fide resident of the United States who does not reside or work in Connecticut and holds a concealed handgun permit issued by another state may apply to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a permit to carry a handgun in Connecticut.15
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(b). ⤴︎
See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-120. ⤴︎
See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-13. ⤴︎
See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(d). ⤴︎
See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(4) (persons who have been adjudicated as a mental defective or who have been committed to a mental institution). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37(a). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-30(b). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-30(f). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(d). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(f). ⤴︎
Dealer Regulations in Connecticut
Design Safety Standards for Handguns in Connecticut
Connecticut has no laws regulating so-called “junk guns” or “Saturday night specials.”
Domestic Violence & Firearms in Connecticut
Firearm Prohibitions for Convicted Abusers
Connecticut prohibits the purchase or possession of firearms by persons convicted of certain violent misdemeanors, regardless of the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, including: 1) assault in the third degree1; 2) assault of an elderly, blind, disabled or pregnant person or a person with intellectual disability2; 3) unlawful restraint3; and stalking in the second degree.4
Connecticut prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person who knows that he or she is subject to a restraining or protective order that was issued after notice has been provided to the person in a case involving the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against another person, or a foreign order of protection in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person.5 Pursuant to a law enacted in 2016, this includes an emergency “ex parte” protective order, so long as notice of the order has been provided to the person.
Domestic violence is defined broadly. Any family or household member who has been subjected to a continuous threat of present physical pain or physical injury, stalking or a pattern of threatening, by another family or household member may apply for a restraining or protective order.6 “Family or household member” means:
Persons not related by blood or marriage presently residing together or who have resided together;
Persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they are or have been married or have lived together at any time; and
Persons who are in or have recently been in a dating relationship.7
The restraining or protective order application form must allow an applicant, at the applicant’s option, to indicate whether the respondent holds a firearms permit or certificate, or possesses one or more firearms or ammunition.8
See the section entitled Disarming Prohibited Persons in Connecticut regarding the firearm and ammunition surrender requirements when a protective order is issued.
Whenever a peace officer determines that a “family violence crime” has been committed, the officer may seize any firearm or ammunition at the location where the crime is alleged to have been committed that is in the possession of any person arrested for the commission of the crime or suspected of its commission or that is in plain view.9 The law enforcement agency must return the firearm(s) and ammunition to the rightful owner not later than seven days after the seizure, unless the person is ineligible to possess a firearm or otherwise ordered by the court.10
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-61. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-61a. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-96. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181d. ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217(a)(4). See also Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217c(a)(5) for similar prohibitions for “criminal possession of a pistol or revolver.” ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-15(a). ⤴︎
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-38a(2). ⤴︎
Fifty Caliber Rifles in Connecticut
Connecticut bans the possession, distribution, importation, transportation, and keeping, offering or exposing for sale of the “Barrett Light-Fifty model 82A1,” which is included in the state’s definition of assault weapon.1
For prohibitions on the knowing distribution, transportation, importation into the state, keeping, offering, or exposing for sale, or gift to any person of any “armor-piercing .50 caliber bullet” or “incendiary .50 caliber bullet,” see the Connecticut Ammunition Regulation section.
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202a(a)(1), 53-202c, and 53-202b. ⤴︎