Carrying a Gun in Your Car in Connecticut: Vehicle Carry Laws

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Connecticut

Handguns in Vehicles

Connecticut requires a Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers to carry a handgun, including in a vehicle. There is no separate vehicle carry provision - the same permit requirement applies whether carrying on one's person or in a vehicle (CGS § 29-35).

• Permit holders may carry handguns in their vehicles and must carry the permit on their person while doing so.
• Without a permit, carrying a handgun is a class D felony with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances (CGS § 29-37(b)).
• Failure to carry the permit on one's person while carrying a handgun is an infraction punishable by a $35 fine (CGS § 29-37(d)).

Safe Storage of Handguns in Motor Vehicles

Connecticut law prohibits storing or keeping a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle unless it is stored in one of the following locations (CGS § 29-38g):

1. The trunk of the vehicle
2. A locked safe
3. A locked glove box

Penalties:

• First offense: Class A misdemeanor
• Subsequent offense: Class D felony

Definition of "unattended": A motor vehicle is considered unattended if no owner, operator, or passenger who is at least age 21 is either inside the vehicle or close enough to prevent unauthorized access.

Definition of "trunk":

• The fully enclosed and locked main storage or luggage compartment of a motor vehicle that is not accessible from the passenger compartment, OR
• A locked toolbox or utility kit attached to a pickup truck bed

A "trunk" does NOT include:

• The rear of a pickup truck (except a locked toolbox/utility kit as noted above)
• The rear of a hatchback, station-wagon-type automobile, or sport utility vehicle
• Any compartment that has a window

Exemptions from safe storage requirements: The vehicle storage requirements do not apply to handguns issued to or possessed by law enforcement agencies, certain government departments (DESPP, DOC, DMV, DEEP, DCJ, Department of Revenue Services), state or U.S. military forces, sworn law enforcement officers (on or off duty), and certain other specified officials. For exempt individuals, the handgun must be stored in accordance with the issuing entity's policy (CGS § 29-38g(b)).

Long Guns in Vehicles

Long guns (rifles and shotguns) must be unloaded when being transported in a vehicle or snowmobile (CGS § 53-205). No permit is required to carry long guns, but they must be unloaded during transport.

• Violation: Class D misdemeanor
• Exemptions: Members of the military while on duty or traveling to/from assignments, and enforcement officers, security guards, or other persons employed to protect property while performing their duties.

Interstate Transportation Through Connecticut

Nonresidents may transport handguns and other firearms through Connecticut without a Connecticut permit for lawful purposes in accordance with federal law (the Firearms Owners' Protection Act), provided (CGS § 29-38d):

• They are not otherwise prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms
• They are transporting firearms between states where they can legally possess and carry them
• The firearms must be unloaded
• The firearm and any ammunition must not be readily or directly accessible to the passenger

Nonresident Transport for Specific Purposes

Bona fide nonresidents who are permitted to possess and carry handguns in their home state may transport handguns in Connecticut without a Connecticut permit for the following specific purposes (CGS § 29-35):

1. Participating in competitions
2. Participating in firearm training at a firing range, training facility, or fish and game or sporting club
3. Taking the firearm for repair
4. Attending meetings or exhibitions of organized gun collectors

Permit Exemptions for Transport

The following activities are exempt from the permit requirement when transporting handguns (CGS § 29-35):

1. Carrying a handgun in its original package from the point of purchase to one's home or place of business
2. Carrying as merchandise
3. Carrying for repair or when moving household goods
4. Carrying to or from a testing range at a firearm permit-issuing authority's request
5. Carrying to a competition or exhibit under an out-of-state permit

Assault Weapons Transport

Transporting an assault weapon in an unauthorized manner is a class E felony (CGS § 53-202f(a)).

Carrying a Loaded Firearm While Intoxicated

It is prohibited to carry a loaded firearm while intoxicated. This is a class B misdemeanor (CGS § 53-206d(a)).

Key Statute References