Open Carry in Connecticut
Whether open carry is legal in Connecticut, any permit or age rules, and where it is banned.
Short 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… Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(2); § 29-28(b)(10)
| 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. |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
More Connecticut gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Connecticut
- Buying a Gun in Connecticut
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Connecticut
- All Connecticut gun laws rules
FAQ
Is open carry legal in Connecticut?
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.
Can you keep a gun in your car in Connecticut without a permit?
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.
Where can't you carry a gun in Connecticut?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.