Connecticut is one of the licensed open carry states in the USA, and you can carry a firearm openly if you have a license to do so.
The state does not issue permits to non-residents, neither does it have reciprocity with other states.
Therefore, before a non-resident can carry, conceal carry, or possess a firearm in the state, he or she must apply for the Connecticut firearm license.
Connecticut Gun Law Summary
Connecticut has a May-issue policy for the state pistol permit.
What this means is that upon meeting all the requirements of the permit, issuing the permit will still be based on discretion.
The agency responsible for permit processing is the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection in the state.
The first permit you will get is the provisional permit issued by the local law enforcement agency, while the DESPP processes the final one.
- Recommended Reading: Connecticut Gun Laws
Is Open Carry Legal In Connecticut?
Yes, you can open carry in Connecticut.
Connecticut’s open carry is legal with a firearm permit issued in the state, and the minimum age you can apply for this permit is twenty-one years old.
Also, Connecticut does not honor any permit from other states; neither does it have reciprocity deals with other states.
This means that as a non-resident, you have to apply for a permit before you can handle firearms in Connecticut.
To obtain the permit for open carry in Connecticut, you must pass a firearm demonstration and meet other permit requirements as well.
The demonstration test will also include a live-fire session. Note that it is essential to undergo the training under the supervision of a certified firearm instructor.
Another essential requirement for the permit is to complete your NICS background check.
Connecticut Open Gun Law Quick View
| Law/Policy | Long Guns | Handguns | Comments |
| State permit for open carry. | Yes | Yes | You must own a permit before possessing a firearm in Connecticut. To get a permit, you must complete a firearm training and the NICS criminal record check. |
| Firearm registrations for open carry. | Partial registration | Partial registration | Connecticut has partial firearm registration. You must register firearms used between 1994 and 2014. |
| Assault weapon for open carry. | Yes | Yes | To classify a firearm as an assault weapon, it must have more than two features of an assault firearm weapon provided by the state |
| Magazine limit | Yes | Yes | In April 2013, Connecticut placed a ban on firearms with more than ten magazine limits. The state defines them as high-capacity magazine limits with prohibition from buying, selling, or possessing such a gun in the state. |
| License for the owner of a firearm. | Not required | Not required | It is not a requirement to own a license under firearm registration in Connecticut. |
| Red flag law | Yes | Yes | A court can restrict your firearm possession if you are a threat to yourself or the society |
| Castle doctrine law | Yes | Yes | Connecticut has no duty to retreat law when you are in your home or a property you own. Although there is no stand your ground law, law courts have in the past granted immunity to those with a permit that make use of excessive force. |
| Background check for private dealers | Yes | Yes | A private dealer must conduct a background check through the licensed dealers in the state. The transfer of firearms is highly restricted. |
| Preemption | Partial | Yes | Connecticut state law does not explicitly have provisions for local restrictions of firearms in the state. But municipalities can prohibit the use of firearms away from a firing range or hunting areas. In the past, the cities of New London and New Britain had local laws that restricted the use of a long gun in their territory. However, this does not exist again |
| Concealed carry permit. | Yes | Yes | Connecticut issues permit for both concealed carry and open carry in the state |
| Concealed carry in personal vehicle | Yes | Yes | You can conceal carry in your vehicle. |
| Open carry in Schools | No | No | You are not allowed to use a firearm on school premises within Connecticut. |
Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Connecticut?
Connecticut allows open carry in the following areas of the state.
- Restaurants and Bars: You can open carry in the eatery area of a restaurant and bar venture.
- Personal vehicle: You can open carry in your private vehicle as long as the firearm is in plain view, and you have a permit to do so.
- Roadside areas: You can open carry along roadside areas in the state.
- Places of Worship: You can open carry in places of worship, as long as they do not have a post or signage that prohibits the possession of firearms on their premises.
Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Connecticut?
Gun laws in Connecticut prohibit firearms possession of open carry in the following places:
- Schools: You cannot open carry Connecticut in schools, either privately owned or government-owned.
- State parks and forests: You cannot open carry without permission in the state or national parks and forests, as well as in Wildlife management areas. To possess a firearm in these places, you must get authorization from the environmental protection department.
- General assembly buildings: You cannot open carry in any building or property used by the state’s general assembly, one that houses offices of members of the general assembly, or where they organize their meetings.
- Properties in Woodbridge: You cannot open carry on any property owned by the town in Woodbridge.
- Private properties that restrict firearms: You cannot possess your firearm or open carry in any building or property that has a post prohibiting the possession of weapons on their premises.
- Restricted areas: You cannot open carry in any area restricted by federal government laws from the possession of a firearm.
FAQs About Open Carry Connecticut
Here some frequently asked questions about open carry in Connecticut.
Is Open Carry Legal In Connecticut?
Yes, Connecticut allows open carry in the state.
Do I Need A Permit For Connecticut Open Carry?
Yes, you need a permit for open carry and concealed carry in Connecticut.
Does Connecticut Have Permit Reciprocity With Other States In The USA?
No, Connecticut does not accept a permit from other states in the country.
However, as a non-resident of another state, you can carry within Connecticut if you apply and get an approved CCW Permit.
Can I Use Pistol Grip For Shotguns In Connecticut?
Shotguns and semi-automatic firearms legally produced before September 1994 are not part of assault weapons in Connecticut.
Therefore, there is no ban on them except if the firearm model and name is mentioned explicitly as assault weapons in the state.
Shotguns and semi-automatic firearms produced after the date will be under a ban if they have more than one of the under-listed features
- A telescoping firearm stock
- A grip that ejects conspicuously under the firearm.
- A magazine round capacity of more than five.
- A firearm that uses a detachable magazine.
- This law is according to the statue 53-202m of Connecticut.
Can I Move To Connecticut With A New Firearm Banned In The State?
No. On no occasion can you bring an assault weapon restricted by gun laws in Connecticut for open carry.
Can I Appeal For A Rejected Firearm Permit In Connecticut?
According to the general statute 4-183 in the state, you can submit an appeal for denied approval.
Will I Undergo Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying A Firearm In Connecticut?
Yes, and it is compulsory for federally licensed dealers.
Must I Belong To Any Gun Club Before Open Carry In Connecticut?
No, there is no such requirement for open carry Connecticut.
Who Should I Notify About Change In Residence For An Update on My Permit?
You are to notify the department of public safety within two business days of changing your residence.
If you fail to do so, you will get a prosecution for felony with a punishment of five hundred dollars and at least three years’ jail term.
The department will also forfeit all your firearms.
While notifying, make sure you include your old and new address.
Can I Renew My Temporary Firearm Permit In Connecticut?
No, a temporary permit is valid for only six years, and you have to apply for a new license to get another one.
For How Long Is Connecticut Handgun Permit Valid?
The permit is valid for five years
Can I Own And Open Carry A Banned Firearm In Connecticut?
The only way you can legally possess a banned firearm in Connecticut is if you have been using it since October 1993, and you own a certificate from the state.
Must I Inform A Police About My Possession Of Firearms In Connecticut?
No, if you are with a firearm in Connecticut, you do not have a duty to inform the police or any other law enforcement officer.
Relevant Open Carry Laws And Legislature In Connecticut
Here is a list of some of Connecticut Open carry laws.
Magazine Capacity Restriction
The maximum number of magazines for a firearm round in Connecticut is ten.
Any firearm with a magazine capacity more than ten cannot be sold, imported, possessed, distributed, or used for open carry in the state.
The exemptions to this law are those that possess high-capacity firearms before the beginning of twenty-fourteen till date, and those that make use of twenty-two caliber tube magazines in the state.
Ammunition Restrictions
Connecticut bans firearms with armor-piercing and those with ammunition caliber of fifty.
Also, before you buy a firearm in the state, you must obtain either a firearm purchase permit, a handgun permit, or an ammunition certificate.
You can apply for the first two at the local county level. But only Connecticut’s commissioner for emergency service can issue the ammunition certification.
To get these permits, you must complete the NICS criminal record background check first.
No Weapon Sign In Connecticut
You cannot open carry or possess your firearm within a premise that has signage or post prohibiting the possession of weapons.
The is a section 29-28 provision of the law, and anybody that violates it is guilty of a Class E felony in Connecticut.
In this situation, the firearm will be seized and confiscated.
Preemption Law In Connecticut
There are partial preemption laws in Connecticut, and this means that local authorities can enact laws in the state to regulate open carry.
Also, the Connecticut open carry laws do not supersede local laws in the state.
Red Flag Law
According to Connecticut statute 29-38c, multiple police officers in the state, or the state attorney general, can submit a petition or complaint to the court of law to approve the red flag policy if the person is a threat to himself or the society.
Upon approval, seizure if a firearm will occur, and such a person will get a restriction order.
Brandishing Of Firearms
There is no brandishing law per se in the state, but according to the state Ann 53a-182, a person can be charged with misconduct if he or she recklessly uses a firearm, to cause a fret, or in threatening behavior.
Also, an arrest can occur for a breach of peace in the second degree if a person intentionally causes havoc, engages in a violent act, or threatens the order of a public place or on another person’s property while using a firearm illegally.
Open Carry Under The Influence
Connecticut law statute 53-206d states that it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm under the influence of liquor with 0.08% or more, or and any intoxicating substance.
Open Carry While Hunting In Connecticut
You can open carry while hunting in forests if you have legal permission to do so.
Connecticut also has hunter harassment laws to protect the activity in the state.
The law states that on no account should any individual interfere with a legal hunting practice taking place in a wildlife area or any other location in the state.
Violation of this law occurs when someone deliberately does any of the following:
- Drives in wildlife to disturb hunting activities.
- Prevents hunting by impeding or harassing a hunter carrying out the activity.
- Performs any artificial or olfactory stimuli to disturb the behavioral pattern of wildlife.
- Mount barriers to prevent or limit the activities of hunters.
- Enters a hunter line of fire while trying to shoot down a game.
- Disturb a publicly or privately owned property meant for the legal hunting of games in the state.
- Impedes a private land portion without any permission from those in charge.
Additional Resources
Connecticut Gun Laws
Connecticut Concealed Carry Laws
Connecticut Gun Permit Laws
