Nfa Items | Connecticut Concealed Carry

NFA Items in Connecticut

Machine Guns

Connecticut law defines a "machine gun" as any weapon, loaded or unloaded, that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically more than one projectile by a single function of the trigger without manual reloading. This includes any part or combination of parts designed to assemble or convert a weapon into a machine gun (CGS § 53-202(a)).

Machine guns are regulated by both the U.S. Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Connecticut State Police, Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU).

Key Restrictions

• Full-Auto Only: Connecticut residents may purchase machine guns only if they are capable of a "full automatic only" rate of fire. Any select-fire weapon is considered an "assault weapon" and is prohibited by state law.
• Registration Required: Anyone who owns a machine gun must register it with DESPP (Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) within 24 hours of acquiring it and annually thereafter on July 1 using Form DPS-418-C (CGS § 53-202(g)).
• Offensive/Aggressive Use Prohibited: Using or possessing a machine gun for an offensive or aggressive purpose is punishable by 5 to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both (CGS § 53-202(c)).
• Use During Violent Crime: Using a machine gun while committing a specified violent crime is punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment (CGS § 53-202(b)).
• Transfer to Minors Prohibited: Transferring, selling, or giving machine guns to minors under age 16 - including temporary transfers for target shooting or any other purpose - is punishable by 5 to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both (CGS § 53-202(c)).

Presumption of Offensive/Aggressive Purpose

Offensive or aggressive purpose is presumed if empty or loaded projectiles are found in the machine gun's immediate vicinity, or if the machine gun:

1. Is located on premises not owned or rented as a bona fide business or permanent residence by the possessor
2. Is possessed or used by an unnaturalized foreign-born person
3. Is possessed or used by anyone convicted of certain violent crimes (e.g., murder, sexual assault, 1st- or 2nd-degree assault)
4. Has been adapted to use any caliber projectile and is unregistered (CGS § 53-202(d))

Manufacturer Requirements

Manufacturers must maintain a register of machine guns they manufacture or handle, including model, serial number, dates of transactions, and transferor/transferee information. Registers and stock must be available for law enforcement inspection. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 (CGS § 53-202(f)).

Exemptions

Machine gun restrictions do not apply to:

1. Manufacture of machine guns for sale or transfer to the U.S. government, states, territories, or political subdivisions
2. Possession of machine guns rendered inoperable by welding
3. Machine guns acquired, transferred, or possessed under the National Firearms Act (except the state registration requirement still applies) (CGS § 53-202(h))

Assault Weapons

Connecticut maintains an extensive ban on assault weapons. Select-fire weapons (capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire) are classified as assault weapons and are prohibited under state law.

Assault weapons are banned both by name (extensive lists of specific rifles, pistols, and shotguns) and by feature-based tests. Possession of an assault weapon without a certificate of possession is a Class D felony with a one-year mandatory minimum prison term, except that a first violation may be a Class A misdemeanor if the person proves lawful possession before the relevant ban took effect (CGS § 53-202c, as amended by PA 23-53, § 24).

Silencers/Suppressors

Connecticut law references silencers in the context of prohibited assault weapon features. A semiautomatic pistol with a threaded barrel capable of accepting a silencer is classified as having an assault weapon feature (CGS § 53-202a). Connecticut effectively prohibits civilian possession of silencers.

Short-Barreled Rifles

A semiautomatic centerfire rifle shorter than 30 inches is classified as an assault weapon under Connecticut law and is prohibited (CGS § 53-202a, as amended by PA 23-53, § 23).

Large Capacity Magazines

Possession of an undeclared large capacity magazine is a Class D felony if the person is ineligible to possess a firearm, or a Class A misdemeanor if the person is eligible to possess a firearm (CGS § 53-202w(c) & (g), as amended by PA 23-53, §§ 18 & 27, PA 23-203, § 3, and PA 24-24, § 23).