Connecticut

FOPA applies, but CT police may arrest if the stop is not a 'peaceful journey' or if the gun is accessible. Keep it locked in the trunk.

Banned as of Oct 1, 2023. Concealed carry only.

Standard TSA rules apply. Declare at counter, locked hard-sided container. CT airports (Bradley) are strict; ensure you have your CT permit if possessing a handgun at the airport.

Technically 'May Issue' based on 'suitability', but a Board of Firearms Permit Examiners exists for appeals, making it effectively 'Shall Issue' for law-abiding citizens, though the process is rigorous.

Two-step process: 1. Local Temporary Permit (60 days). 2. State Permit (5 years). Requires safety course.

Banned by statute for K-12. Universities generally ban via policy, and violation can lead to trespass charges/expulsion.

State law bans carry on school grounds. Federal GFSZA applies to the 1000ft zone, but the CT State Permit exempts you from the federal 1000ft prohibition (but not the school grounds themselves).

Requires a valid State Pistol Permit. Without a permit, handguns must be unloaded and separated from ammo.

Allowed if you have a CT permit. Buildings are off-limits.

Schools, legislative buildings, court facilities. State parks often restricted by regulation.

Without a permit, handguns must be unloaded and not accessible. Long guns in vehicles must be unloaded (C.G.S. 53-205).

Legal if NFA compliant AND compliant with CT AWB. This is very difficult for SBRs as they often fail the AWB feature tests or fall under the 'Other' ban. Non-semiautomatic SBRs are easier to own.

Heavily regulated. You must obtain a serial number from DESPP *before* completing manufacture. 2019 and 2023 laws tightened this significantly.

Legal to own if NFA compliant. However, attaching one to a semi-auto rifle with a detachable magazine creates an illegal assault weapon (threaded barrel/flash suppressor feature).

Yes. All home-built firearms must be serialized with a number issued by DESPP.

Not required.

Flash suppressors are prohibited features on semi-auto rifles with detachable magazines. They are legal on bolt-actions or fixed-mag rifles.

Strictly banned. Includes specific named models, feature-based bans (1 feature test), and 'Others'. Pre-2023 'Others' and pre-1994 firearms are now classified as assault weapons and required registration by May 1, 2024.

10 rounds. Possession of larger magazines is a felony unless declared before 2014.

Fixed magazine (requiring disassembly of action to remove) or non-semiautomatic (bolt/pump action). 'Featureless' builds are difficult due to the single-feature test.

De facto registration exists for all transfers via the DPS-3 form. Assault weapons and Large Capacity Magazines must be explicitly registered.

Mandatory if a minor (under 18) or prohibited person is likely to gain access. 2023 updates tightened this significantly.

Yes. Police or family members (via police/court) can petition for a Risk Protection Order to remove firearms.

Strict. You cannot bring non-compliant Assault Weapons or Large Capacity Magazines into the state. There is no 'registration period' for new residents to keep banned items; they must be removed or sold. Compliant guns don't need immediate registration but you cannot buy ammo/carry without a permit.

Yes, within 72 hours for all firearms (C.G.S. 53-202g covers AWs, 53a-217e covers all firearms).

Private transfers are allowed but require a call to DESPP for authorization and background check verification.

Generally requires a transfer unless it is a temporary loan for target shooting where the owner is present.

No state mandate as of late 2025.

Yes. Criminal liability applies if a minor gains access to an unsecured firearm.

While CT state law attempts to protect palliative marijuana users from state permit denial, Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)) strictly prohibits firearm possession by any unlawful user of a controlled substance, including marijuana.

Illegal aliens are prohibited. Legal permanent residents may purchase if they meet permit requirements.

Universal background checks are required. Private sellers must verify the buyer's eligibility certificate/permit and obtain an authorization number from DESPP before transferring.

Illegal under both state and federal law. CT specifically prohibits false statements during transfer.

Conviction of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and being subject to a restraining/protective order prohibits possession. Firearms must be surrendered within 24 hours of becoming ineligible (or 2 business days per statute depending on context, but immediate surrender often ordered).

Connecticut is a Point of Contact (POC) state. Dealers contact the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) for all transfers.

Connecticut prohibits possession by persons convicted of certain misdemeanors including criminally negligent homicide, assault in the third degree, threatening, reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint, riot, and stalking.

Felons, fugitives, unlawful users of controlled substances, those adjudicated as mental defectives, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged veterans, and those subject to certain restraining orders.

21 for handguns (requires Pistol Permit or Eligibility Certificate), 18 for long guns (requires Long Gun Eligibility Certificate).

There is no statutory fixed waiting period (e.g., 10 days) once a permit is held. However, the permit application process itself can take months.

No specific roster of approved handguns exists, but handguns defined as 'assault weapons' (e.g., threaded barrels, barrel shrouds, weight limits) are banned.

Yes. A Pistol Permit or Eligibility Certificate is required for handguns. A Long Gun Eligibility Certificate or Pistol Permit is required for rifles/shotguns.

Legal, but must be shipped to a CT FFL for background check and permit verification.

Yes. Limited to 3 handguns per 30-day period (enacted 2023). Exceptions exist for instructors/collectors.

No limit on quantity, but an Ammunition Certificate or Firearm Permit is required to purchase.

Handguns must be transferred to a CT FFL. Long guns can be purchased out of state if the transaction complies with CT laws (permits, AWB), but many out-of-state dealers refuse due to complexity.

Yes. The vendor must contact DESPP for an authorization number for every ammo sale.

Connecticut's self-defense statute removes the duty to retreat when an individual is in their dwelling or place of work and is not the initial aggressor, but does not include a presumption of reasonable fear.

Connecticut imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force if one can do so with complete safety, with exceptions for when the actor is in their dwelling or place of work and was not the initial aggressor.

Connecticut does not have a stand your ground law that removes the duty to retreat in public places; instead, it generally imposes a duty to retreat if one can do so with complete safety.