Connecticut Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No.

21.

Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Connecticut.

Yes. Armor-piercing and incendiary .50-caliber ammunition is prohibited. A handgun carry permit, gun sales permit, long-gun/handgun eligibility certificate or an ammunition certificate is required to purchase ammunition. Ammunition certificates are issued by the state's Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection after a background check and must be renewed every 5 years.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38m(c) and 53-202l(a)]

No more than 10 rounds.

“Large capacity magazine” means any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip or similar device that has the capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition, but does not include: a feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than ten rounds of ammunition, a .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device, or a magazine that is permanently inoperable. Any person who distributes, imports into the state, keeps for sale, offers or exposes for sale, or purchases a high-capacity magazine is criminally liable for a class D felony.

There is also a grandfather provision for high-capacity magazines possessed prior to January 1, 2014.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53-202w]

Yes, with a valid CT Pistol Permit only. Otherwise, the weapon must be unloaded and the firearm and ammunition must be stored in separate locked containers during transport. As of October 1, 2019, any pistol or revolver in an unattended motor vehicle must be in the trunk, a locked safe or locked glove box or in a locked toolbox or utility box attached to the bed of a pickup truck.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 29-38d][Public Act 19-7]

Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a valid CT Pistol Permit, unless posted.

A permit to carry a handgun does not authorize a person to carry a handgun on any premises where the possession or carrying of a handgun is prohibited by the person who owns or controls the premises. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(e)]

Yes, to individuals who hold a valid permit/license issued by a recognized United States jurisdiction.

No. There is no duty to inform a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Connecticut. 

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 29-35]

No definition of brandishing was found in Connecticut law. However, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, such person engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53a-182]

A person is guilty of breach of the peace in the second degree when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, such person engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior in a public place; or assaults or strikes another; or threatens to commit any crime against another person or such other person's property; or creates a public and hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which such person is not licensed or privileged to do.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53a-181]

Yes. Your Connecticut driver’s license is linked to your Connecticut pistol permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license.

Yes. Connecticut has a red flag law. A state’s attorney, or any two police officers, may file a complaint for seizure of firearms or ammunition. In addition, as of September 1, 2021, a family member, social worker, health care worker, clergy or other concerned community member is able to notify the court directly about a person who is in possession of a firearm and has threatened to harm herself, himself or another person and ask the court to issue an order to remove firearms from the possession of the person issuing such threats or committing acts of violence.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a)]

The law requires that you notify the issuing authority within 48 hours of changing your address. Persons holding state pistol permits may contact SLFU by phone at (860) 685-8290, via email at Special Licensing and Firearms Unit or by mailing a letter to:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, CT 06457 

Include your name, permit number, old address and new address.

File a police report in the area in which the theft or loss occurred. Then contact the issuing authority and notify them of the theft or loss. You will then have to go to the state police headquarters or a troop location where pistol permits are processed and pay a $5.00 processing fee for issuance of a duplicate permit.

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Be a legal resident of the United States;
• Have a residence or business in the jurisdiction in which they are applying;
• Intend to use the handgun for only lawful purposes;
• Be a “suitable person” to receive a permit;
• Have successfully completed an approved handgun safety course;
• Not have been convicted of a felony or a violation of:
  • Criminal possession of a narcotic substance,
  • Criminally negligent homicide,
  • Assault in the third degree,
  • Reckless endangerment in the first degree,
  • Unlawful restraint in the second degree,
  • Riot in the first degree, or
  • Stalking in the second degree;
• Not have been convicted as a delinquent for the commission of a serious juvenile offense;
• Not have been discharged from custody within the preceding 20 years after having been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect;
• Not have been confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities,
• Not have been voluntarily admitted on or after October 1, 2013, to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the preceding 12 months by order of a probate court;
• Not be subject to a restraining or protective order issued by a court in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person;
• Not be subject to a firearms seizure order issued for posing a risk of personal injury to self or others after a hearing;
• Not be an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Connecticut.

5 years

Connecticut issues non-resident permits to individuals who hold a valid permit/license issued by a recognized United States jurisdiction. The process can be done through the mail by submitting the required documentation to the DESPP at the address above.

Connecticut has a two-step permitting process: a 60-day temporary permit issued by local authorities followed by a 5-year regular permit issued by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Local law enforcement has discretion in determining whether or not to issue a permit to carry a handgun to an applicant based on a “suitability clause”. The suitability clause applies both to the issuance of new permits and revocation of existing permits.

A temporary state permit to carry pistols or revolvers entitles the holder to purchase a firearm and transport same to their residence or place of business. It does not entitle the holder to carry a pistol or revolver on their person. Issuance of a temporary permit is technically not a prerequisite to apply for a regular permit, but in practice an applicant must await a decision from local authorities on the temporary permit application before applying to DESPP for the regular permit.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and WMAs? Yes/No. Carrying open or concealed firearms is allowed on portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Connecticut and the Weir Farm National Historical Park only with a valid CT Pistol permit. However, carrying open or concealed firearms for self defense is not permitted on state/national park or state/national forest properties. Starting October 1st, 2023, no person shall knowingly carry any firearm openly, except in your home, on your land, or at a business you own.
•  There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

There is no known statute in Connecticut making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. A statute was identified that makes it illegal to wear a mask, hood or other device designed to conceal the identity of such person with the intent to subject any other person to the deprivation of any rights or privileges.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53-37a]

No. Per the Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection's 2019 Hunting and Trapping Guide, possession of a firearm while archery hunting is prohibited.

All types of knives are legal to own, although there are a number of restrictions on what can be carried open or concealed. Stilettos, blackjacks, dirks, automatic knives, switchblades with blades longer than 1.5 inches and any knives with blades longer than 4 inches are illegal to carry and transport. There are exceptions to carry for members of the military, when transporting to a gun show, historic reenactments, among others.

[Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann §§53-206 & 29-38(a)]