Storage | Connecticut Concealed Carry

Connecticut Firearm Storage Requirements

Safe Storage in a Home

Connecticut law prohibits anyone from storing or keeping any firearm on any premises under such person's control, unless the person:

1. Keeps the firearm locked up or in a location that a reasonable person considers to be secure, OR
2. Carries it on his or her person or close enough so that he or she can readily retrieve it and use the firearm as if such person carried it on his or her person

(CGS § 29-37i, as amended by PA 23-53, § 12)

Criminally Negligent Storage

If a person obtains an unlawfully stored firearm and uses it to injure or kill himself/herself or someone else, the weapon's owner is guilty of criminally negligent storage of a firearm, a class D felony, unless:

• The person obtained the firearm through unlawful entry, AND
• If the firearm is stolen, it is reported as such within 72 hours

(CGS § 53a-217a, as amended by PA 23-53, § 20)

Strict Liability for Failure to Securely Store

A person who fails to securely store a firearm is strictly liable for damages (regardless of intent) when a minor (person under age 18) or a resident of the premises who is ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law, or who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to himself/herself or others, obtains the firearm and causes injury or death.

(CGS § 52-571g)

Parental/Guardian Responsibility

Any parent or guardian of a minor who knows that the child possesses a firearm and fails to make reasonable efforts to stop it is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. If the child causes the injury or death of someone else with the firearm, the parent or guardian is guilty of a class D felony.

(CGS § 53-206f)

Safe Storage in a Motor Vehicle

The law generally prohibits storing or keeping a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle unless it is in:

• The trunk
• A locked safe
• A locked glove box

Penalties:

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

The court may, in some circumstances, suspend prosecution for a first minor violation.

(CGS § 29-38g(a)(1) & (d); CGS § 29-38g(c))

Definitions

• "Unattended" motor vehicle: No owner, operator, or passenger who is at least age 21 is either inside the vehicle or close enough to prevent unauthorized access.
• "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. It does not include:
  • The rear of a pickup truck (except as noted above)
  • The rear of a hatchback, station-wagon-type automobile, or sport utility vehicle
  • Any compartment that has a window

(CGS § 29-38g(a)(2))

Exemptions from Vehicle Storage Requirements

The vehicle storage requirements do not apply to handguns issued or possessed by:

1. Police departments, Department of Revenue Services, DCJ, DESPP, DOC, DMV, and DEEP
2. State or U.S. military or naval forces
3. Sworn members of a law enforcement unit (for official duties or off-duty)
4. DCJ inspectors or chief inspectors
5. Salaried motor vehicle inspectors designated by the DMV commissioner
6. Conservation or special conservation officers appointed by the DEEP commissioner
7. POST-certified constables appointed to perform criminal law enforcement duties
8. Nuclear facility security personnel licensed by the NRC

For all exemptions, the handgun must be kept or stored in accordance with the issuing or possessing entity's policy for safely keeping or storing a handgun in a motor vehicle.

(CGS § 29-38g(b))

Long Guns in Motor Vehicles

Long guns must be unloaded when being transported in a vehicle or snowmobile. A violation is a class D misdemeanor. Exceptions apply to members of the military while on duty or travelling to/from assignments, and to enforcement officers, security guards, or other people employed to protect property while performing their duties.

(CGS § 53-205, as amended by PA 23-53, § 34)

Locking Devices and Retail Sale Warnings

All firearms sold in Connecticut (other than at wholesale) must be equipped with a reusable locking device constructed of material sufficiently strong to prevent it from being easily disabled. The lock must have a mechanism accessible by key or by electronic or other mechanical accessory specific to the device to prevent unauthorized removal.

(CGS § 29-33(d), as amended by PA 23-53, § 9, and PA 23-130, §§ 5 & 6)

Gun dealers must provide firearm buyers with a reusable trigger lock, gun lock, or appropriate locking device at the time of sale, along with the following written warning in block letters at least one inch high, and post the warning conspicuously in block letters at least three inches high:

UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE

Each violation by a dealer carries a fine of at least $500.

(CGS § 29-37b, as amended by PA 23-53, § 33)