Gun Laws Connecticut

Overview: As of June 2025, Connecticut has enacted significant changes to its gun laws, reflecting the state’s commitment to enhancing public safety and holding the firearms industry accountable.

Connecticut Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources

Question	Answer
Does Connecticut have an Assault Weapons Ban?	✅ Yes. Connecticut bans certain assault-style weapons.
Are background checks required for private gun sales?	✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require background checks in Connecticut.
Are background checks required through FFL dealers?	✅ Yes. FFL dealers must conduct NICS checks.
Is Connecticut a Stand Your Ground state?	🚫 No. Connecticut uses a “Duty to Retreat” principle in public places.
What kind of restrictions does Connecticut have?	ℹ️ Magazine capacity limited to 10 rounds ℹ️ Mandatory safe storage laws ℹ️ Felons and certain individuals are prohibited from owning firearms
Does Connecticut have any gun storage laws?	✅ Yes. Firearms must be securely stored, especially around minors.
Can you buy firearms in bulk in Connecticut ?	🚫 No state law limits the number of firearms you can purchase at once.
Does Connecticut have a red flag law?	✅ Yes. CT allows law enforcement or family members to request a risk protection order.
Age to purchase firearms?	ℹ️ Handguns: 21 years old ℹ️ Rifles/Shotguns: 18 years old
Do I have to register my guns in Connecticut ?	✅ Yes. Certain firearms and magazines must be registered with the state.
Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?	✅ Yes. A permit to purchase or carry is required.
Does Connecticut have a waiting period for firearms?	Yes. There is a mandatory waiting period for handgun purchases.

Does Connecticut have an Assault Weapons Ban?

✅ Yes. Connecticut bans certain assault-style weapons.

Are background checks required for private gun sales?

✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require background checks in Connecticut.

Are background checks required through FFL dealers?

✅ Yes. FFL dealers must conduct NICS checks.

Is Connecticut a Stand Your Ground state?

🚫 No. Connecticut uses a “Duty to Retreat” principle in public places.

What kind of restrictions does Connecticut have?

ℹ️ Magazine capacity limited to 10 rounds
ℹ️ Mandatory safe storage laws
ℹ️ Felons and certain individuals are prohibited from owning firearms

Does Connecticut have any gun storage laws?

✅ Yes. Firearms must be securely stored, especially around minors.

Can you buy firearms in bulk in Connecticut ?

🚫 No state law limits the number of firearms you can purchase at once.

Does Connecticut have a red flag law?

✅ Yes. CT allows law enforcement or family members to request a risk protection order.

Age to purchase firearms?

ℹ️ Handguns: 21 years old
ℹ️ Rifles/Shotguns: 18 years old

Do I have to register my guns in Connecticut ?

✅ Yes. Certain firearms and magazines must be registered with the state.

Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?

✅ Yes. A permit to purchase or carry is required.

Does Connecticut have a waiting period for firearms?

Yes. There is a mandatory waiting period for handgun purchases.

Question	Answer
Does Connecticut allow Open Carry?	🚫 Not allowed in Connecticut.
Does Connecticut allow Concealed Carry?	✅ Permit required
Non‑Lethal Weapons?	✅ Pepper spray legal; stun devices restricted.
Places allowed to carry?	✅ Private property allowed; public places only with permit.
Places not allowed to carry?	🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, posted “no carry” zones.
States honored?	✅ Connecticut honors valid permits from other states that recognize CT.
States reciprocate?	✅ Connecticut's permit is recognized in these states: Florida Georgia Illinois Maine New Hampshire New York Pennsylvania Ohio Massachusetts Rhode Island ⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
Permit duration & renewal?	ℹ️ 5 years.
Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?	🚫 No. Only handguns.
Permit Licensure?	ℹ️ Both local and state authorities are involved in issuing concealed carry permits. Local police chiefs (or town officials like selectmen) issue temporary permits, while the State Police, specifically the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU), issue the state-level permit.

Does Connecticut allow Open Carry?

🚫 Not allowed in Connecticut.

Does Connecticut allow Concealed Carry?

✅ Permit required

Non‑Lethal Weapons?

✅ Pepper spray legal; stun devices restricted.

Places allowed to carry?

✅ Private property allowed; public places only with permit.

Places not allowed to carry?

🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, posted “no carry” zones.

States honored?

✅ Connecticut honors valid permits from other states that recognize CT.

States reciprocate?

✅ Connecticut's permit is recognized in these states:

Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Maine
New Hampshire

New York
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Massachusetts
Rhode Island

⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.

Permit duration & renewal?

ℹ️ 5 years.

Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?

🚫 No. Only handguns.

Permit Licensure?

ℹ️ Both local and state authorities are involved in issuing concealed carry permits. Local police chiefs (or town officials like selectmen) issue temporary permits, while the State Police, specifically the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU), issue the state-level permit.

Resources	Links
Legal & State Firearm Info	CT State Police – Firearms Division ATF – State Firearm Laws
Training & Safety	CT Firearm Safety Courses NRA Training
Ownership & Carry	NRA‑ILA: Connecticut Gun Laws USCCA – CT CCW Info HandgunLaw.us – CT PDF