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Connecticut gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Vehicle transport

A handgun in a vehicle requires a Connecticut carry permit; without one it is a class D felony (C.G.S. 29-38). Handguns may not be left in an unattended vehicle except as 29-38g allows. Source

Places where carry is banned

Public and private K-12 school property and school-sponsored activities (C.G.S. 53a-217b). Other state and federal restrictions also apply; this is not a complete list. Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Duty to inform

No duty to volunteer it. You must carry your permit and show it when an officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime and sees your handgun asks (C.G.S. 29-35(b)). Source

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with Local police / first selectman, then DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

Connecticut does not recognize other states' permits.

Does not honor other states' permits.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether Connecticut honors your permit

Sources

  1. portal.ct.gov
  2. www.cga.ct.gov
  3. giffords.org
  4. giffords.org
  5. giffords.org
  6. www.ncsl.org
  7. www.cga.ct.gov
  8. www.cga.ct.gov

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.