Question 1

Is Connecticut a constitutional carry state?

Accepted Answer

No. Connecticut does not allow permitless carry. No person may carry a pistol or revolver on their person, except in their own home, on land they own or lease, or in their own place of business, without a permit issued under § 29-28. Carrying a handgun without a permit is a class D felony with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence absent mitigating circumstances (as summarized by the legislature's research office).

Question 2

How do you get a concealed carry permit in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

State Permit to Carry Pistols or Revolvers. The local chief of police (or the town's chief executive officer or designated resident state trooper/state police) first issues a temporary state permit valid 60 days, if it finds the applicant intends no use of the handgun other than a lawful use and is 'a suitable person'; the applicant must then appear within 60 days to receive the state permit from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Applicant must be at least 21, pass a state and national criminal history check, and (for applications filed on or after July 1, 2024) have completed, not earlier than two years before applying, a DESPP-approved course in the safety and use of firearms that covers safe storage, lawful use and lawful carrying. Fee: $140 for the original permit plus the FBI background-check cost; renewal $70. The state permit expires five years after it becomes effective. Nonresidents who hold a carry permit from another state may apply directly to the DESPP commissioner.

Question 3

Is open carry legal in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A permit holder may carry a handgun, but since October 1, 2023 no person may knowingly carry any firearm (handgun or long gun) with intent to display it, except in their home, on land they own or possess, in their place of business, during firearm training or bona fide hunting, or with the property owner's explicit permission. A person who takes reasonable measures to conceal the firearm is not 'displaying' it, and a 'fleeting glimpse' or imprint through clothing is not a violation. Carrying a handgun requires the § 29-28 permit, which has a minimum age of 21.

Question 4

How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Handguns: no person may sell, give or otherwise transfer a pistol or revolver to anyone under 21 (except temporary use at a range under supervision); the handgun eligibility certificate or carry permit needed to buy one is available only at 21. Long guns: no retail sale or transfer to anyone under 18, and no sale or transfer of a semi-automatic centerfire rifle that has or accepts a magazine of more than five rounds to anyone under 21. The long gun eligibility certificate is available at 18. Because every buyer must hold a permit or certificate, these ages also apply in private sales.

Question 5

Do private gun sales need a background check in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for all sales including private sales. A buyer of any handgun must hold a carry permit, a handgun eligibility certificate, or a dealer permit, and every handgun transfer requires an authorization number from DESPP, which runs the national instant background check. Every long gun buyer must hold a long gun eligibility certificate, handgun eligibility certificate or permit; private (non-dealer) long gun sales require either the parties to get a DESPP authorization number themselves or a licensed dealer to obtain it for them. DESPP may issue no more than three handgun authorization numbers for retail sales to one buyer within 30 days (six for certified firearms instructors).

Question 6

Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Long guns: no sale or transfer until two weeks after the application date, except to holders of a state carry permit, handgun eligibility certificate or long gun eligibility certificate, active military members, holders of a valid Connecticut hunting license, and for antique firearms. Handguns: Connecticut has no state law that sets a waiting period for handguns. A pistol or revolver may not be sold, delivered or transferred until the transferor obtains an authorization number from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who runs the national instant criminal background check, and the buyer must already hold a carry permit, eligibility certificate or other listed permit.

Question 7

Does Connecticut have a red flag law?

Accepted Answer

Yes (risk protection orders). A state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or police officer may apply to a Superior Court judge for a risk protection order (and seizure warrant) against a person 18 or older who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to self or others. A family or household member or a medical professional may apply to the court clerk for a risk protection order investigation. After a hearing, if the state proves the risk by clear and convincing evidence, the order continues until the person successfully petitions to end it; the person may first petition at least 180 days after the hearing. A separate procedure covers children under 18 (§ 29-38q).

Question 8

Does Connecticut ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?

Accepted Answer

Assault weapons are banned: selling, giving or importing one is a class C felony and possessing one is a class D felony, except weapons covered by a certificate of possession obtained under § 53-202d by the set deadlines. The definition covers listed models and any semiautomatic centerfire rifle that accepts a detachable magazine and has at least one listed feature (such as a folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, forward pistol grip, flash suppressor, or grenade/flare launcher), plus similar feature tests for pistols and shotguns, and '2023 assault weapons' added in 2023. Large capacity magazines (more than ten rounds) may not be sold, purchased, imported or transferred on and after April 5, 2013; possession is a crime unless declared to DESPP under § 53-202x.

Question 9

Can you keep a gun in your car in Connecticut without a permit?

Accepted Answer

Without a permit, a person may not knowingly have a pistol or revolver in a vehicle they own, operate or occupy; doing so is a class D felony. Non-permit holders may transport a handgun only for listed purposes, unloaded and not readily accessible from the passenger compartment (or, if there is no separate compartment, in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console). Anyone leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle must keep it in the trunk, a locked safe or a locked glove box. Long guns may not be loaded in a vehicle.

Question 10

Which states' carry permits does Connecticut honor?

Accepted Answer

None. Connecticut has no state law that honors other states' carry permits; a Connecticut permit is required to carry a handgun. Nonresidents who hold a carry permit from another state may instead apply to DESPP for a Connecticut nonresident permit; nonresidents may also transport unloaded firearms to competitions, training, repair or collector meetings, and through the state as federal law allows.

Question 11

Where can't you carry a gun in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Public or private elementary and secondary school property and school-sponsored activities (class D felony); buildings where either house of the General Assembly or legislative offices are located or where a legislative committee is holding a public hearing (class D felony); and any premises where carrying is prohibited by other law or by the person who owns or controls the premises.

Question 12

Are ghost guns legal in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A person who completes the manufacture of a firearm must obtain a unique serial number from DESPP (notifying DESPP within 30 days) and engrave it on the firearm; since January 1, 2024, no one may possess an unserialized firearm unless they declared it or have applied for a number. People moving into the state with one have 90 days to serialize it, make it permanently inoperable, sell it to a dealer or remove it. Unfinished frames or lower receivers may only be sold or transferred through the same procedure as a handgun sale and must carry a serial number. Making a firearm from polymer plastic without a detectable security exemplar is also prohibited.

Permitless (constitutional) carry	No. Connecticut does not allow permitless carry. No person may carry a pistol or revolver on their person, except in their own home, on land they own or lease, or in their own place of business, without a permit issued under § 29-28. Carrying a handgun without a permit is a class D felony with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence absent mitigating circumstances (as summarized by the legislature's research office). Exceptions in § 29-35(a)(3) cover police and peace officers, military members on duty, and people transporting an unloaded firearm for listed purposes (moving, repair, competition, training). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(1); § 29-37(b)
Concealed carry permit	State Permit to Carry Pistols or Revolvers. The local chief of police (or the town's chief executive officer or designated resident state trooper/state police) first issues a temporary state permit valid 60 days, if it finds the applicant intends no use of the handgun other than a lawful use and is 'a suitable person'; the applicant must then appear within 60 days to receive the state permit from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Applicant must be at least 21, pass a state and national criminal history check, and (for applications filed on or after July 1, 2024) have completed, not earlier than two years before applying, a DESPP-approved course in the safety and use of firearms that covers safe storage, lawful use and lawful carrying. Fee: $140 for the original permit plus the FBI background-check cost; renewal $70. The state permit expires five years after it becomes effective. Nonresidents who hold a carry permit from another state may apply directly to the DESPP commissioner. The statute uses a 'suitable person' standard, so issuance involves official judgment; the statute does not call it shall-issue. DESPP's FAQ describes the fee as two $70 payments (local and state). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-28(b), (f); 29-30(a), (c)
Open carry	A permit holder may carry a handgun, but since October 1, 2023 no person may knowingly carry any firearm (handgun or long gun) with intent to display it, except in their home, on land they own or possess, in their place of business, during firearm training or bona fide hunting, or with the property owner's explicit permission. A person who takes reasonable measures to conceal the firearm is not 'displaying' it, and a 'fleeting glimpse' or imprint through clothing is not a violation. Carrying a handgun requires the § 29-28 permit, which has a minimum age of 21. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(2); § 29-28(b)(10)
Guns in your car	Without a permit, a person may not knowingly have a pistol or revolver in a vehicle they own, operate or occupy; doing so is a class D felony. Non-permit holders may transport a handgun only for listed purposes, unloaded and not readily accessible from the passenger compartment (or, if there is no separate compartment, in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console). Anyone leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle must keep it in the trunk, a locked safe or a locked glove box. Long guns may not be loaded in a vehicle. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38(a), 29-35(a)(3)-(4), 29-38g(a), 53-205(a)
Other states' permits (reciprocity)	None. Connecticut has no state law that honors other states' carry permits; a Connecticut permit is required to carry a handgun. Nonresidents who hold a carry permit from another state may instead apply to DESPP for a Connecticut nonresident permit; nonresidents may also transport unloaded firearms to competitions, training, repair or collector meetings, and through the state as federal law allows. Reviewed Conn. Gen. Stat. chapter 529 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_529.htm) on 2026-10-27; no provision honoring other states' permits found. DESPP's FAQ says out-of-state residents 'must hold a permit to carry in another state' to get the Connecticut nonresident permit; neither DESPP nor the statute lists any honored state. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 529 (reviewed); §§ 29-35, 29-28(f), 29-38d
Where guns are banned	Public or private elementary and secondary school property and school-sponsored activities (class D felony); buildings where either house of the General Assembly or legislative offices are located or where a legislative committee is holding a public hearing (class D felony); and any premises where carrying is prohibited by other law or by the person who owns or controls the premises. Legislative-building rule read in the legislature's Office of Legislative Research report 2024-R-0163 (Nov. 27, 2024), https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/rpt/pdf/2024-R-0163.pdf. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-217b, 2-1e(c), 29-28(e)

Age to buy a gun	Handguns: no person may sell, give or otherwise transfer a pistol or revolver to anyone under 21 (except temporary use at a range under supervision); the handgun eligibility certificate or carry permit needed to buy one is available only at 21. Long guns: no retail sale or transfer to anyone under 18, and no sale or transfer of a semi-automatic centerfire rifle that has or accepts a magazine of more than five rounds to anyone under 21. The long gun eligibility certificate is available at 18. Because every buyer must hold a permit or certificate, these ages also apply in private sales. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-34(b), 29-36f(a), 29-37a(b), 29-37p(a)
Background checks and private sales	Yes, for all sales including private sales. A buyer of any handgun must hold a carry permit, a handgun eligibility certificate, or a dealer permit, and every handgun transfer requires an authorization number from DESPP, which runs the national instant background check. Every long gun buyer must hold a long gun eligibility certificate, handgun eligibility certificate or permit; private (non-dealer) long gun sales require either the parties to get a DESPP authorization number themselves or a licensed dealer to obtain it for them. DESPP may issue no more than three handgun authorization numbers for retail sales to one buyer within 30 days (six for certified firearms instructors). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-33(b), (c), (f); 29-37a(c)-(f)
Waiting period	Long guns: no sale or transfer until two weeks after the application date, except to holders of a state carry permit, handgun eligibility certificate or long gun eligibility certificate, active military members, holders of a valid Connecticut hunting license, and for antique firearms. Handguns: Connecticut has no state law that sets a waiting period for handguns. A pistol or revolver may not be sold, delivered or transferred until the transferor obtains an authorization number from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who runs the national instant criminal background check, and the buyer must already hold a carry permit, eligibility certificate or other listed permit. Reviewed Conn. Gen. Stat. chapter 529 (all section headings, §§ 29-27 to 29-38q) on 2026-10-27; no handgun waiting-period provision found. The section history of § 29-33 notes that an earlier two-week handgun waiting period was replaced by the authorization-number requirement. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 529 (reviewed); §§ 29-33, 29-37a(g)
Ghost guns and homemade firearms	A person who completes the manufacture of a firearm must obtain a unique serial number from DESPP (notifying DESPP within 30 days) and engrave it on the firearm; since January 1, 2024, no one may possess an unserialized firearm unless they declared it or have applied for a number. People moving into the state with one have 90 days to serialize it, make it permanently inoperable, sell it to a dealer or remove it. Unfinished frames or lower receivers may only be sold or transferred through the same procedure as a handgun sale and must carry a serial number. Making a firearm from polymer plastic without a detectable security exemplar is also prohibited. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-36a, 53-206i, 53-206j

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