Connecticut concealed carry laws and reciprocity

Permit holders must carry the permit while carrying and present it when asked by a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime and has observed the pistol or revolver (C.G.S. 29-35(b)); there is no duty to volunteer that one is armed.

Having a pistol or revolver in a vehicle without a Connecticut permit is a class D felony (C.G.S. 29-38); without a permit, a firearm may be transported only unloaded and not readily accessible from the passenger compartment for the limited purposes in C.G.S. 29-35(a)(3)-(4).

No one may carry a pistol or revolver outside their home, own land, or place of business without a permit issued under C.G.S. 29-28 (C.G.S. 29-35(a)(1)).

The statute says the issuing authority may issue a permit to an applicant 21 or older whom it finds to be a suitable person (C.G.S. 29-28(b)); the U.S. Supreme Court in Bruen counted Connecticut among states that have discretionary criteria but operate like shall-issue jurisdictions.

A U.S. resident with no Connecticut residence who holds a carry permit or license from another state may apply directly to DESPP's Special Licensing and Firearms Unit for a nonresident permit (C.G.S. 29-28(f)).

No person, including a permit holder, may knowingly carry any firearm with intent to display it, except at home, on land they own, lease, or possess, at their place of business, during firearm training or hunting, or with the property owner's explicit permission (C.G.S. 29-35(a)(2), added by P.A. 23-53). A fleeting glimpse or printing through clothing is not a violation.

Not yet verified from an official source. C.G.S. 29-28(e) says a permit does not authorize carrying on premises where the owner or person in control prohibits it, but the penalty for ignoring a posted sign was not confirmed.

No statute bars carrying in restaurants or bars, but carrying a loaded firearm while under the influence of liquor or drugs, or with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, is prohibited (C.G.S. 53-206d).

Regs. Conn. State Agencies 23-4-1(c) provides that hunting or carrying of firearms, archery equipment or other weapons is not permitted in any state park or forest except as authorized by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (for example, licensed hunting in designated areas and seasons).

The firearms chapters (C.G.S. Chapters 529 and 943) and the school-grounds law contain no ban on permit holders carrying in places of worship; the owner or person in control may prohibit firearms on the premises (C.G.S. 29-28(e)).

Not yet verified from an official source. The state school-grounds statute (C.G.S. 53a-217b) covers elementary and secondary schools only; college rules were not confirmed.

Off-limits by statute: public and private elementary and secondary school grounds and school-sponsored activities (C.G.S. 53a-217b); buildings housing the General Assembly chambers or legislative offices, or where a legislative committee is holding a hearing (C.G.S. 2-1e); and premises where carrying is barred by law or by the owner (C.G.S. 29-28(e)).

Deadly force is not justified if the person knows they can avoid it with complete safety by retreating, except in their own dwelling or place of work when not the initial aggressor (C.G.S. 53a-19(b)).

Buying, importing, selling, or transferring a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds is a class D felony, and possession is a crime except for magazines lawfully possessed and declared under the 2013 law (C.G.S. 53-202w).

Possessing an assault weapon as defined in C.G.S. 53-202a is a class D felony unless it was lawfully possessed and registered or declared under the 1993, 2013, or 2023 laws (C.G.S. 53-202c).

Possessing a silencer is a class D felony under C.G.S. 53a-211 unless the person is licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law to possess it, such as through federal registration.

No Connecticut statute reviewed bans short-barreled rifles as such, but a semiautomatic centerfire rifle with an overall length under 30 inches is an assault weapon under C.G.S. 53-202a and banned under 53-202c.

Possessing a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches or overall length under 26 inches is a class D felony under C.G.S. 53a-211 unless the person is licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law, such as through federal registration.