Resources | Connecticut Concealed Carry

Additional Resources for Connecticut Concealed Carry

Key Government Agencies & Contact Information

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) - Special Licensing & Firearms Unit (SLFU)

• Address: 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457
• Phone: (860) 685-8290 (general inquiries) / (860) 685-8494 (SLFU direct)
• Email: DESPP.SLFU@ct.gov
• State Pistol Permit Portal: https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-state-police/special-licensing-and-firearms/state-pistol-permit
• Pistol Permit FAQ: https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-state-police/special-licensing-and-firearms/faq---pistol-permits
• SLFU Main Page: https://portal.ct.gov/despp/slfu
• Online Address Change Portal: Available through the DESPP online portal for state pistol permit holders

Note: As of 08/01/2025, the Troop E pistol permit office (Montville) is closed until further notice. The HQ and Troop G locations remain open during advertised hours.

Board of Firearms Permit Examiners (BFPE)

• Address: State Office Building, 20 Trinity St., 5th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106
• Phone: (860) 256-2977
• Website: http://www.ct.gov/bfpe/site/default.asp
• Purpose: Reviews appeals from persons denied issuance of a pistol permit or whose permit has been revoked (established under CGS § 29-32b)
• Appeal Deadline: 90 days following refusal of issuance, revocation, or limitation of a permit
• Decision Timeline: Appellant notified in writing within 20 days of the board's majority vote decision
• Further Appeal: Decisions may be appealed under C.G.S. § 4-183

Key Connecticut Statutes - Chapter 529 (Division of State Police)

Other Relevant Statutes

Key Public Acts

• P.A. 23-53 - An Act Addressing Gun Violence (significant amendments to multiple firearm statutes)
• P.A. 21-67 - An Act Concerning Risk Protection Orders or Warrants and Disqualifiers for Firearm Permits and Eligibility Certificates
• P.A. 19-5 - An Act Concerning the Safe Storage of Firearms in the Home and Firearm Safety Programs in Public Schools
• P.A. 18-29 - An Act Concerning Bump Stocks and Other Means of Enhancing the Rate of Fire of a Firearm
• P.A. 13-3 - An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety
• P.A. 13-220 - An Act Concerning Revisions to the Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety Act

Important Permit Holder Obligations

• Address Change Notification: Permit holders must notify the issuing authority within two (2) business days of any change of address (can be done online or by mail to SLFU)
• Carry Permit on Person: The permit must be carried on one's person when carrying the firearm (CGS § 29-35); failure to do so is an infraction with a $35 fine (CGS § 29-37(c))

Concealed vs. Open Carry

CGS § 29-35 does not specify whether a handgun must be carried openly or concealed. However, the Connecticut Appellate Court has recognized that open carry may subject a person to arrest under other statutes even if § 29-35 does not explicitly prohibit it (Peruta v. Commissioner of Public Safety, 128 Conn. App. 777, 794, 20 A.3d 691, cert. denied, 302 Conn. 919, 28 A.3d 339 (2011)).

Carrying in State Parks and Forests

DEEP regulations (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 23-4-1(c)) generally prohibit carrying firearms in state parks or forests, with limited exceptions for hunting small game and other authorized activities at predetermined times and designated areas. Violation is an infraction with a $75 fine, and DEEP may evict the violator for 24 hours or prohibit entry for up to one year after conviction (CGS § 23-4(a)).

Confidentiality of Permit Information

The name and address of anyone issued a gun permit, gun dealer's permit, or eligibility certificate are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Disclosure is limited to: (1) law enforcement officials, (2) handgun transferors verifying permit validity, and (3) the DMHAS commissioner for specified statutory purposes (CGS § 29-28(d); CGS § 29-36g).

Research Resources

• Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries - Firearms Law: https://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/law/firearms.htm
• Office of Legislative Research (OLR): www.cga.ct.gov/olr - Phone: (860) 240-8400 - Email: OLRequest@cga.ct.gov
• OLR Summary of State Gun Laws (2024): https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/rpt/pdf/2024-R-0163.pdf
• OLR Report on Concealed vs. Open Carry: https://cga.ct.gov/2016/rpt/2016-R-0330.htm
• OLR Report on Carrying in State Parks/Forests (2020-R-0289): https://www.cga.ct.gov/2020/rpt/pdf/2020-R-0289.pdf
• Connecticut Constitution, Article I, Section 15 (right to bear arms)
• U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment
• Risk Protection Order Information: https://jud.ct.gov/Publications/JDPCL140.pdf
• DESPP Forms and Documents: https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP/Division-of-Emergency-Service-and-Public-Protection/Forms