Connecticut Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Constitutional Basis

The Connecticut Constitution (Article First, § 15) gives every citizen the right to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state.

Permit Type

Connecticut issues a Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers (commonly called a "State Pistol Permit"). The permit authorizes the holder to carry a handgun (pistol or revolver) on their person. Connecticut law (CGS § 29-35) does not specify whether the firearm must be carried openly or concealed - both are technically permitted with a valid permit.

Two-Step Permit Process

Connecticut uses a two-part issuance process requiring approval from both local and state authorities (CGS § 29-28(b)):

Step 1: Temporary (Local) Permit

• Residents must first obtain a Temporary State Permit from the local issuing authority (police chief, chief executive officer, or designated state trooper) in the town where they reside.
• The local official investigates the applicant using a background check and must find that the applicant:
  1. Wants the firearm for lawful purposes
  2. Is a suitable person to receive a permit (suitability is left to the official's discretion; the law does not define it)

Step 2: State Permit

• After obtaining the temporary local permit, the applicant applies to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) for the state permit.
• The State Police conducts state and national criminal history record checks.

Non-Residents

• Out-of-state residents may apply for a non-resident Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers directly through the Connecticut State Police (SLFU.OOS@ct.gov).
• A prerequisite for the non-resident permit is that the applicant must hold a permit to carry in another state.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Age

• Applicants must be at least 21 years old (CGS § 29-28; CT.gov DESPP).

Residency/Citizenship

• Must be a legal resident of the United States.

Training Requirement

• Applicants must complete a DESPP-approved handgun safety and use course prior to submitting the application (CGS § 29-28(b)).
• The course must consist of no less than the NRA's "Basic Pistol Course."
• The NRA's "Home Firearms Safety Course" and "First Steps Pistol Orientation Program" are NOT approved courses.

Background Check

• Applicants must pass state and national criminal history record checks.
• Applicants must submit photographs and fingerprints in connection with the application.

Disqualifying Factors

The following persons are prohibited from obtaining a pistol permit (CGS § 29-28; CGS § 29-36f):

• Persons convicted of a felony
• Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence involving the use or threatened use of physical force or a deadly weapon
• Persons convicted in Connecticut (after October 1, 1994) of any of the following 11 misdemeanors:
  1. Illegal possession of narcotics or other controlled substances (CGS § 21a-279(c))
  2. Criminally negligent homicide (CGS § 53a-58)
  3. Assault in the third degree (CGS § 53a-61)
  4. Assault of a victim 60 or older in the third degree (CGS § 53a-61a)
  5. Threatening (CGS § 53a-62)
  6. Reckless endangerment in the first degree (CGS § 53a-63)
  7. Unlawful restraint in the second degree (CGS § 53a-96)
  8. Riot in the first degree (CGS § 53a-175)
  9. Riot in the second degree (CGS § 53a-176)
  10. Inciting to riot (CGS § 53a-178)
  11. Stalking in the second degree (CGS § 53a-181d)
• Persons convicted as a delinquent for a serious juvenile offense (as defined in CGS § 46b-120)
• Persons discharged from custody within the preceding 20 years after being found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect (CGS § 53a-13)
• Persons confined in a hospital for psychiatric disabilities (as defined in CGS § 17a-495) within the preceding 12 months by order of a probate court
• Persons voluntarily admitted (on or after October 1, 2013) to a hospital for psychiatric disabilities within the preceding 12 months by order of a probate court
• Persons 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
• Persons subject to a firearms seizure order issued pursuant to CGS § 29-38c after notice and hearing
• Persons prohibited under federal law (18 USC § 922(g) or (n))
• Any person who is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States
• Persons who have renounced United States citizenship
• Persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
• Persons under the age of 21

Fees

Permit Validity & Renewal

• The permit is valid for 5 years from date of issue unless revoked or suspended (CGS § 29-30).
• Renewal fee is $70.

Processing Timeline

• The issuing authority has 90 days to review the application and issue an approval or denial.
• If denied, the authority must provide a written explanation listing the basis for denial.

Appeals

• A denial may be appealed to the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners as provided under CGS § 29-32b.

Permit Revocation

• DESPP must revoke a permit upon any occurrence that would disqualify the holder (CGS § 29-32).
• Anyone who fails to surrender their permit within five days of being notified of revocation is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Carrying Requirements

• A permit holder must carry the permit on their person when carrying a firearm (CGS § 29-35).
• Failure to carry the permit on one's person is an infraction punishable by a $35 fine (CGS § 29-37(c)).
• Carrying a handgun without having obtained a permit is a class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $1,000 fine, with a one-year mandatory minimum sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances (CGS § 29-37(b)).

Open vs. Concealed Carry

• Connecticut law (CGS § 29-35) does not specify whether a handgun must be carried openly or concealed. Both are technically permitted with a valid permit.
• However, the Appellate Court has recognized that open carry may subject a person to arrest under other statutes (Peruta v. Commissioner of Public Safety, 128 Conn. App. 777, 794 (2011)).

Eligibility Certificate vs. Carry Permit

• An Eligibility Certificate (CGS § 29-36f through 29-36i) allows the holder to purchase a pistol or revolver and transport it to their residence or place of business. It does not authorize carrying on one's person.
• A Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers authorizes both purchase and carrying on one's person.

No Permit Required for Home/Business Possession

• No permit or certificate is required to possess lawfully acquired handguns in one's home or place of business or on land the person leases or owns (CGS § 29-35 exceptions).

Confidentiality

• 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 (CGS § 29-28(d)).
• Information is disclosable only to: (1) law enforcement officials, (2) handgun transferors verifying credential validity, and (3) the DMHAS commissioner for specified statutory purposes.

Key Statutes