What Guns are Legal in Connecticut?
Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun control laws in the United States. As of 2019, there are 15 gun categories that are illegal in Connecticut, according to the state’s pistol permit and Firearms Safety Training Program (Section 53-202k). So, what guns are legal in Connecticut? Let’s dive in to find out.
Shotguns
Shotguns are legal in Connecticut as long as they meet the following criteria:
- Calibers larger than.410 gauge, but smaller than 20 gauge, are legal with a special permit.
- 12, 20, or.410 gauge shotguns with a tubular magazine, or side-by-side double-barrel shotguns with a double trigger, are legal.
Rifles and Carbines
Rifles and carbines with a magazine capacity of:
- less than 5 rounds for semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines are legal for hunting purposes.
- less than 5 rounds for semi-automatic rifles with clip-fed internal box magazines or tubular feed internal magazines are legal.
- 5-round internal box or tubular magazine capacity with a single-stack magazine feeding system is also legal.
- M1 Garand and similar clip-fed bolt-action rifles with a removable clip and tubular feed internal magazine are legal.
- AR-15-type rifles with fixed magazines containing 5 or fewer cartridges are legal.
Handguns
Handguns with:
- Muzzle Velocity: 600-1200 feet per second (180-370 meters per second): Handguns that meet this velocity criteria are legal, including some Glock models, Smith & Wesson Model 642, and Springfield XD-M Compact.
- Automatic Ejection: Handguns that automatically eject spent shells, such as the Browning Hi-Power and Sig Sauer P210, are legal.
- Non-sporting pistol: Any pistol designed and intended solely for recreational target shooting, plinking, and other such purposes is legal.
Other Handgun Restrictions
- No magazines with capacity greater than 10 rounds are legal in Connecticut for handguns.
- No handguns with any of the following are legal:
- Assault pistols (such as Glock models with collapsing stocks and bump-fire accessories)
- Handguns with forward triggers or drop safeties
Exemptions
Some weapons are exempt from Connecticut’s gun control laws, including:
- *Antique firearms**: Rifles or shotguns over 49 years old.
- *Curios or relics**: Firearms produced prior to 1898, or 50 years before the calendar year.
- *Air guns**: Bows and arrows, slingshots, pellet guns, air rifles, BB guns, and muzzle-loaded firearms without a percussion primer.
- *Ammunition**: BB, pellet, or compressed gas-powered arms, archery equipment, and shot or shotgun shells of any caliber, gauge, or shell load.
Penalties and Consequences
Connecticut has stiff penalties for illegally possessing firearms, including:
- Criminal possession of a firearm with a concealed handgun permit revocation for up to 10 years (Section 29-37a)
- Criminal sale of a firearm with up to 5 years in prison (Section 29-38g)
- Manufacture of a prohibited rifle or shotguns with up to 10 years in prison (Section 29-37h)
In conclusion, it is essential for gun owners to understand what guns are legal in Connecticut. As demonstrated above, there are several categories and restrictions on the types of firearms and handguns that can be possessed legally in the state. While this may seem complex, it’s crucial for the safety of both law-abiding gun owners and the general public.
Here’s a Summary of Legal Firearms in Connecticut in a table format for your convenience:
| Type | Caliber/Gauge | Magazine Capacity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shotguns | .410 – 20 | Fixed (tubular magazine or side-by-side double barrel) | |
| Rifles/Carbines | Larger than 22 | less than 5 rounds, fixed, tubular magazine, or removable clip with single-stack feeding | Some AR-15 models |
| Handguns | Less than 1200 feet per second muzzle velocity, automatic ejection, and non-sporting purposes | Fixed or removable clips with capacity not exceeding 10 rounds | Some specific models and categories |
Before purchasing or acquiring any firearms, please ensure you follow Connecticut state law and understand the restrictions mentioned in this article. If in doubt, consult the relevant authorities and legal experts.
