Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Connecticut
Whether Connecticut has a red flag (extreme risk) law and any limits on assault weapons or magazine capacity.
Short 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. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38c(a), (b), (e), (f); 29-38q
| Red flag law | 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). |
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| Assault weapons and magazine limits | 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. |
More Connecticut gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Connecticut
- Open Carry in Connecticut
- Buying a Gun in Connecticut
- All Connecticut gun laws rules
FAQ
Does Connecticut have a red flag law?
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).
Does Connecticut ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?
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.
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.