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(If you have a question that you cannot find an answer for, please email me and I will get you an answer.) How do I get a permit to carry a gun for the State of Connecticut? In order to get a State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers you must first obtain a Local Permit. Out of state residents may apply for a non resident Connecticut State Pistol Permit. Non residents apply directly to the Connecticut State Police. Call How do I apply for a Local Permit? You must go to the Police Department or First Selectman of the town and get the application. The application has all the instructions necessary to obtain the permit. The cost of the permit is $35.00, and it generally takes eight weeks to obtain. What is required for me to obtain a pistol permit in Connecticut? Our NRA Basic Pistol Safety class is mandated as a prerequisite. After successfully completing our NRA class, you then fill out the application and return the application to the police department with the NRA certificate we give you. Once they complete a background check, you will be issued a Temporary 60 day Connecticut Pistol Permit. After obtaining the temporary permit, you then go to the Bridgeport State Police Barracks, or the Department of Public Safety in Middletown. There, you will be photographed and issued your permanent Connecticut Pistol Permit, which is valid for 5 years. Once I have received a Local Permit, how do I apply for a State Permit? You can apply at the following State Police Troops or at the Department of Public Safety to fill out the application and have your photo taken. You must bring a copy of your Local Permit, a check or money order for $35.00, made out to D.P.S. and a current photo I.D., such as a drivers license. PHOTO PISTOL PERMIT SCHEDULESEffective March 21, 2005: Photo opportunities will be available at the following locations but not on a state or federal holidays: Troop locations will be closed during inclement weather. No appointments necessary.
Troop C in Tolland Troop G in Bridgeport (Closed Monday) 1320 Tolland Stage Road 149 Prospect Street Tolland, Conn. 06084 Bridgeport, Conn. 06604 Tel. 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 8:30 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. T-W-F-S 8-12 & 12:30- 4 p.m. Thurs. 11-1:30 & 2-7 p.m.
Troop E in Montville Troop L - Litchfield I-395 (between Exits 79 & 79A) 452 Bantam Road Montville, Conn. 06382 Litchfield, Conn. 06759 Tel. 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 8:30 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 8:30 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.
At DPS Headquarters in Middletown @ the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit 1111 Country Club Road (1st floor, left side of elevators) Middletown, Connecticut 06457 Tel. Directions: I-91 N or S exit 20 – Turn left at stop sign and follow signs to Dept. of Public Safety. How do I change my address on my Pistol Permit? A person holding a state or local pistol permit is required to notify the issuing authority within two business days of any change of address. Persons holding state pistol permits may contact SLFU at How long is a Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers good for? The permit is valid for 5 years from date of issue unless revoked or suspended. Who may purchase a handgun? Only those people who are Permit holders, Eligibility Certificate holders, or sworn Police Officers may purchase a handgun. After my Permit expires in 5 years, am I required to retake the NRA Basic Pistol Safety Class and reapply for my permit? No, your permit is renewed in person at the two aforementioned locations within 90 days of the expiration date. A fee of $35 is due at that time. Retaking the NRA class is not required as long as you do not allow your permit to expire. What do I do if my pistol permit is lost or stolen? Any time a pistol permit is lost or stolen the person should first contact police in the area where the theft or loss occurred and file a police report. The person should then contact the issuing authority and notify them of the theft or loss. Failure to notify the issuing authority may result in the revocation of your permit. SLFU can be contacted at A person may replace a lost or stolen pistol permit by appearing in person at state police headquarters or any one of the four state police troop locations where pistol permits are processed. A list of the locations and business hours is provided above. A $5.00 processing fee is collected for issuance of a duplicate permit. The monies are payable via check or money order made out to the Commissioner of Public Safety. Cash is not accepted. What does my Connecticut Pistol Permit allow me to do with a firearm? The permit allows you to purchase, transport and carry a handgun on your person within all legal guidelines of the law. You can find information about Connecticut's statutes regarding pistol permits at: http://cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap529.htm (sections 29-27 throught 29-36l). Must I prove a "need" for a pistol permit in order to be issued one? No, Connecticut is known as a "shall issue state," meaning if you apply for a permit, and are a law abiding citizen, you will be issued a permit provided you fulfill all of the application requirements. How long will it take from the time of application for me to receive my permit? State law says to allow 6 to 8 weeks. It also states that if you are notified of a delay, to allow another 2 to 3 weeks, making the total process no longer than 11 weeks from the date you applied. If I decide to carry a gun on my person for self-defense, am I required to conceal the gun? There is no law in Connecticut mandating the gun be carried concealed, the permit issued is a Permit to Carry, not a concealed carry permit. HOWEVER, there have been a number of instances where a permit holder has opted for open carry which is legal. As a result complaints were brought against them by third party individuals resulting in arrest. Those arrests were deemed false and charges were subsequently dropped. Concealed carry should be considered as an option. In general, your Connecticut permit only allows you to carry a handgun in Connecticut. However, there are some states that offer reciprocal carry privileges to holders of Connecticut permits. For information on states offering reciprocity, go to http://www.moccw.org/map.html May I keep my Pistol Permit if I move out of state? Yes, providing you notify the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit of the change of address, and continue to renew your permit. What is the best firearm for me? There is no one firearm which is perfect for everyone. I am selling a gun to a friend. How do I do this, and is there any paperwork involved? If you are selling a handgun, the purchaser must have a CT Pistol Permit, Eligibility Certificate, or be a sworn Police Officer. You must call the toll free Gun Sale Authorization line at What is considered an Assault Weapon in Connecticut? Section 53-202a of the Connecticut General Statutes gives the definition, and an itemized list of what weapons are considered Assault Weapons. Who may possess Assault Weapons in Connecticut? Law enforcement and military personnel may possess Assault Weapons in connection with their official duties, and any person who has a Certificate of Possession issued by the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit may possess the Assault Weapon listed on their certificate. Can I get a Certificate of Possession for my Assault Weapon now? No. The only exceptions to this would be a person who has been out of state serving in the military since October 1994, or a person who receives an Assault Weapon through bequeath or intestate succession providing the weapon already had a certificate. In these instances, the person has 90 days to register the weapon with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. I just moved into Connecticut and I possess an Assault Weapon. May I keep the weapon or if not what are my options? Within 90 days of moving to Connecticut, you may sell the weapon to any licensed gun dealer, or you must do one of the following; 1) render the weapon permanently inoperable, 2) sell it to an out of state dealer, 3) relinquish the weapon to a law enforcement agency. If you choose to keep the weapon you risk felony arrest. I never registered my Assault Weapon, What are my options? You can only render it permanently inoperable, sell it to an out of state dealer, or relinquish it to a law enforcement agency. Can Connecticut gun dealers buy or sell Assault Weapons? A licensed gun dealer may purchase any Assault Weapon that has a Certificate of Possession, or any Assault weapon that has been transferred into Connecticut as part of someones personal belongings for less than 90 days. The dealer may then sell them to other dealers, law enforcement agencies, or out of state. Can Police Officers buy Assault Weapons? No. Police Departments can buy them and give them to their officers to use, although the individual officers cannot buy Assault Weapons. Additional Resources
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