Transport | Connecticut Concealed Carry

Connecticut Transportation Laws for Firearms

Carrying a Pistol or Revolver - Permit Required

Under CGS § 29-35, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit is prohibited, with limited exceptions. A valid Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers (issued under CGS § 29-28) is required to lawfully carry a handgun.

Weapons in Vehicles (CGS § 29-38)

Connecticut law addresses the carrying of weapons in vehicles under CGS § 29-38. Persons transporting firearms in vehicles should be aware of specific requirements regarding how firearms must be stored during transport.

Interstate Transportation of Firearms Through Connecticut (CGS § 29-38d)

Connecticut has a specific statute, CGS § 29-38d, governing the interstate transportation of firearms through the state. This provision addresses the rights and requirements of persons lawfully transporting firearms through Connecticut who may not hold a Connecticut permit.

Transportation of Assault Weapons (CGS § 53-202d)

The law imposes strict requirements on transporting registered assault weapons between statutorily authorized locations:

• Prohibited: Carrying a registered assault weapon loaded and in a concealed manner during transport
• Prohibited: Knowingly having an assault weapon in any motor vehicle the person owns, operates, or occupies unless:
  • The weapon is unloaded, AND
  • The weapon is stored in the trunk or in a case or other container that is inaccessible to the driver and passengers
• Violation: Transporting an assault weapon in violation of these requirements is a class E felony

Registered assault weapons may only be transported between the following authorized locations:

1. The owner's home, business, or other property they own (or another's property with permission)
2. A target range of a public or private target shooting club
3. A licensed target shooting range or club
4. A firearms exhibition, display, or educational project sponsored or approved by a law enforcement agency or nationally/state-recognized entity
5. To a gun dealer for servicing or repair

Transportation of Large Capacity Magazines (LCMs) (CGS § 53-202x)

Declared (grandfathered) large capacity magazines may only be transported between authorized locations, and during transport:

• The LCM must contain no more than 10 bullets
• The LCM must be transported in compliance with the same rules that apply to transporting assault weapons (i.e., unloaded, in the trunk or in an inaccessible case/container)

Authorized locations for possession of declared LCMs include:

1. The owner's residence
2. The owner's business or other property they own (LCM must contain no more than 10 bullets)
3. A target range of a public or private club organized for target shooting
4. A licensed target shooting range or club
5. A licensed shooting club
6. While transporting between any of the above places or to a gun dealer
7. Under a valid handgun permit, provided the LCM: (a) is in a handgun lawfully possessed before April 4, 2013; (b) does not extend more than one inch below the bottom of the pistol grip; and (c) contains no more than 10 bullets

Violation of LCM possession/transportation restrictions is a class C misdemeanor (CGS § 53-202x(g)).

Nonresidents Moving to Connecticut with LCMs (CGS § 53-202x(d))

Anyone (except active-duty military servicemembers) who moves into Connecticut in lawful possession of an LCM has 90 days to either:

• Permanently disable it
• Sell it to a gun dealer
• Remove it from the state

Servicemembers transferred to Connecticut after January 1, 2024, may declare possession of LCMs to DESPP within 90 days of arrival.

Nonresident Transport of Assault Weapons (CGS § 53-202d(f)(7))

Under certain circumstances and with certain requirements, a nonresident who has a certificate of possession may transport certain assault weapons into and through Connecticut to:

1. Attend any exhibition, display, or educational project, or
2. Participate in a collegiate, Olympic, or target pistol shooting competition in Connecticut

Armor-Piercing and Incendiary Ammunition Transport (CGS § 53-202l)

• It is a class A misdemeanor (class D felony for subsequent violations) to knowingly transport or bring into the state any armor-piercing .50 caliber bullets or incendiary .50 caliber bullets
• It is a class D felony to knowingly transport or carry a firearm loaded with armor-piercing or incendiary .50 caliber bullets

Bringing LCMs Into Connecticut (CGS § 53-202w)

It is a class D felony to bring large capacity magazines into Connecticut, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, military, and certain manufacturers.

Firearms in State Parks and Forests

DEEP regulations (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 23-4-1(c)) generally prohibit carrying firearms or other weapons in state parks or forests, with limited exceptions:

• Carrying a handgun for hunting small game at predetermined times in areas set aside and posted by DEEP
• Participating in other authorized activities (e.g., at a firearms range or during a hunter education class)
• A valid permit to carry (CGS § 29-28) is still required
• On state-owned land, handguns with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire long rifle cartridges are prohibited (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 26-66-2(a))

Penalties for illegally carrying weapons in a state park or forest:

• Infraction with a fine of $75 (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 23-4-5(b)(1))
• DEEP may evict the violator for 24 hours (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 23-4-5(a)(1))
• DEEP may prohibit the violator from entering any state park for up to one year after conviction (CGS § 23-4(a))

Carrying While Intoxicated (CGS § 53-206d)

Carrying a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs is prohibited and is a class B misdemeanor.

Federal Appalachian Trail Considerations

Federal law (16 U.S.C. § 1a-7b) allows lawful firearm possession on National Park Service-managed portions of the Appalachian Trail. However, state laws and DEEP regulations apply to portions of the trail that pass through state-owned parks and forests. Persons are responsible for knowing their location and which law applies.