Connecticut Gun Control Laws

• Connecticut General Statutes section 53-202a: Assault weapons: Definitions
• Connecticut General Statutes section 53a-217: Criminal possession of a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic defense weapon
• Connecticut General Statutes section 53-202w: Large-capacity magazines. Definitions. Sale, transfer, or possession prohibited.
• Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-35: Carrying of Pistol or Revolver without permit.

The following firearms are illegal to own in Connecticut

• Assault weapons, but see C.G.S.A. section 53-202 for limited exceptions for weapons legally owned before 7-1-94
• A part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon
• Certain semi-automatic centerfire rifles
• Certain semiautomatic pistols and shotguns
• Silencers
• Bump stocks or other rate of fire enhancers

There is no waiting period to purchase a firearm in Connecticut. However, buyers must first have a valid permit or certificate to purchase a firearm. This process requires a criminal background check.

Under most circumstances, you must be an adult (18 or older) to own a firearm. You can't own or possess a firearm if you:

• Have a felony or a violent misdemeanor conviction
• Have been convicted as a delinquent for a serious juvenile offense
• Have been admitted to a mental institution by an order of a court in the past five years or discharged from custody in the past 20 years after the finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect
• Are subject to a restraining or protective order and case involved use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force
• Are subject to a firearm seizure order after notice and opportunity to be heard
• Were voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric care hospital within the past six months except for drug or alcohol dependency
• Are in the United States illegally (for handguns only)
• Are a fugitive from justice
• Are convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence crime per federal law
• Are otherwise prohibited under federal law

Connecticut does not use the term license. You need a pistol permit, a permit to sell firearms, or an eligibility certificate to purchase a firearm in Connecticut.

Yes, you need a pistol permit (carry permit) to carry a concealed firearm in Connecticut.

No. Only in limited circumstances, like on your own property or business, is open carry permitted. Where it is permitted, you need a pistol permit to carry in Connecticut.

If you are 21 years of age and have a residence or place of business in Connecticut, you can get a carry permit as long as the following prohibitions do not apply to you:

• You are illegally present in the U.S.
• You have a felony conviction or certain violent misdemeanor conviction(s)
• You were convicted as a delinquent for committing a serious juvenile offense
• You were committed to a mental hospital within the past 60 months by an order of a court
• You are subject to a protective or restraining order
• You are subject to a firearm seizure order because you pose an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others
• You were voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric care hospital within the past six months except for drug or alcohol dependency
• You did not complete an approved firearm training course
• You are otherwise prohibited from ownership or possession of a firearm under federal or state law

• You can't possess a machine gun for offensive or aggressive purposes.
• You can't transfer, sell, or give a machine gun to a person who is under 16 years old.
• You must register any machine gun at the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection within 24 hours of purchase.

• Criminal possession of a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic defense weapon is a Class C felony. It applies to any person prohibited from firearm ownership by law. This offense is punishable by a minimum of two years in prison and a fine of $5,000. The maximum penalties are 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
• Possession of a prohibited weapon is a class D felony punishable by a minimum of one year in prison and a fine of up to $500. The maximum penalties are five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

Possession of a firearm on school grounds is a class D felony punishable by a minimum of one year in prison and a maximum of five years in prison. The maximum fine is $5,000.