The Connecticut pistol permit has an extra step that many other states' permit programs don't require -- technically speaking, the state-resident applicant has to get two permits.
A temporary pistol permit is first required before applying for the five-year permit.
As it currently stands, Connecticut gun owners can only conceal and open carry by getting ahold of that pistol permit.
How to Navigate the Connecticut Pistol Permit Application Process
The trick to getting a Connecticut pistol permit is having patience with a clunky system.
Step one: attend an . Connecticut requires live fire during instruction. Once the course is completed, the certification will be used as part of the application packet.
The Connecticut-resident applicant must apply for the 60-day temporary state pistol permit prior to the five-year permit. They must fill out a DPS-799-C form, and include the certification, $70 payable to the local authority and proof that they are legally in the U.S. All of this is submitted to the appropriate local authority -- generally the local police or resident state trooper.
The applicant also needs to submit fingerprints to a law enforcement agency for a . There will be two separate fees ($50 and $12) made payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut."
Once all of that is appropriately submitted and processed, the local authority will grant a 60-day temporary pistol permit. Within that 60-day period, the applicant must take that permit to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police, pistol permit location (such as the headquarters in Middletown) and submit it with a DPS-46-C five-year state permit application.
There is another $70 fee with the five-year permit application, and the applicant must provide proof of state-issued photo identification as well as proof (like a certified copy of a birth certificate) that they are legally and lawfully in the U.S. A photograph and signature will also be taken during the process.
The applicant must be eligible based on 14 criteria -- no felony convictions and no convictions in 11 different misdemeanors, a 21-year-old age requirement, not being prohibited by federal law to own a firearm and others based on C.G.S. SSSS 29-28, 29-32, 29-36f 29-36I.
Provided the eligibility requirements are met, the application is submitted correctly and all the accompanying materials are in place, the issuing authority has 8 weeks to approve or deny the application.
It is a may-issue state.
If denied, the applicant can appeal to the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners, according to C.G.S. Section 29-32.
The permit may be renewed in person at DESPP Headquarters within 90 days before or after the five year expiration date. The renewal fee is $70.
Nonresidents may also apply for a Connecticut pistol permit. They must own a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver in a recognized U.S. jurisdiction, call DESPP for an application packet and submit the following to a pistol permit location:
- Connecticut and Federal fingerprint card with the two separate fees, $50 and $12, for criminal history background checks
- Firearms use and safety course certificate
- $70 application fee
- Completed application for state permit to carry pistols and revolvers, DPS-46-C
- A completed DPS-129-C form signed and notarized with a 2x2 passport style color photograph
- Copy of a valid permit to carry a firearm
- Proof they are legally in the U.S. (for example a birth certificate, documentation issued by I.C.E.)
- Proof of valid state issued photo ID
Out-of-state renewals (and in-state renewals as of October 2011) may be completed via mail. This is done by confirming the information on the submitted DPS-129-C form and signing it in the presence of a notary before mailing it. Provide a 2x2 passport style color photo taken in the previous six months. There is the $70 renewal fee, of course, and proof of legal presence in the U.S.
Send all that in a stamped #10 envelope.
If the pistol permit owner changes address, he or she must notify their issuing authority within two business days.
The pistol permit isn't always necessary though. There are a number of exceptions under C.G.S. Section 29-35 -- notably that the permit is not required for pistols or revolvers carried in one's home or place of business.
Connecticut's nonresident pistol permits are an extension of its reciprocity standards.
Connecticut concealed carry reciprocity
Connecticut's concealed carry reciprocity standards are strict.
It does not recognize out-of-state permits, hence the application.
On the other hand, the Connecticut pistol permit is recognized by about half the U.S. However, that may change in the future, so be sure to stay up to date with a .
For those traveling through the state with a firearm, C.G.S. Section 29-38d has an important distinction that allows for interstate transportation of firearms through Connecticut given that the individual has the right to possess the weapon in the state they are traveling from and the state they are traveling to.
Those weapons may not be carried, however, only stored in the vehicle.
This is not formal legal advice, so be sure to call and verify with the appropriate Connecticut firearms authorities when traveling or carrying a weapon within Connecticut.
Those carrying within the state should also pay attention to locations where firearms are prohibited, such as federally prohibited areas, school zones, as per C.G.S. Section 53a-217b, and within buildings that house legislative processes, as per C.G.S. Section 2-1e.
How do I obtain a concealed carry permit in Connecticut?
To obtain a concealed carry permit in Connecticut, you must first apply for and receive a local pistol permit from the police department or first selectman of the town where you reside. After securing the local permit, you can apply for a state pistol permit issued by the Connecticut State Police, which allows for concealed carry throughout the state. The process involves completing an approved handgun safety course, submitting fingerprints, undergoing a background check, and paying an application fee of approximately $70. The permit is valid for five years.
What are the eligibility requirements for a concealed carry permit in Connecticut?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a legal U.S. resident, and not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law. A clean criminal record without felony convictions and no recent history of certain misdemeanors or mental health disqualifiers is required. Completion of a state-approved firearms safety course, which must include live fire qualification, is mandatory.
Can non-residents obtain a Connecticut concealed carry permit?
Non-residents can apply for a Connecticut state pistol permit, but only after obtaining the necessary local permits and meeting all eligibility and training requirements. Non-resident applicants must apply directly to the Connecticut State Police and provide proof of a valid carry permit from their home state. All standard application procedures apply, including background checks and fingerprinting.
Is a permit required to carry concealed in Connecticut?
Connecticut law requires a permit to carry handguns—whether concealed or openly carried outside the home, vehicle, or place of business. Without a valid permit, carrying a handgun in public or in a vehicle is illegal except in limited, specific circumstances defined by law.
What handgun safety training is required for permit applicants?
Applicants must complete a handgun safety course equivalent to the NRA’s Basic Pistol Course or a state-approved program, including live fire on a range. Computer simulations or dry-fire do not meet these requirements. The certificate from the training must be recent and acceptable to the state licensing authorities.
How long does the permit application process take in Connecticut?
Typically, obtaining a local pistol permit takes about eight weeks after application submission. After receiving a local permit, the state pistol permit application also requires time for background checks and processing, totaling several weeks to a few months depending on jurisdiction and completeness of the application.
Where is concealed carry prohibited even with a permit?
Even with a valid permit, concealed carry is prohibited in schools, courthouses, government buildings, certain private properties, and any location where firearms are expressly prohibited by law. Transporting loaded handguns in vehicles has additional restrictions, such as being accessible only under certain conditions.
What must a permit holder do if stopped by law enforcement while carrying concealed?
Connecticut does not require permit holders to proactively inform law enforcement officers they are carrying a firearm, but it is recommended to do so for safety and transparency during any official law enforcement encounters.
How often must I renew my Connecticut concealed carry permit?
Connecticut concealed carry permits, both local and state-issued, must be renewed every five years. Renewal requires submitting updated application forms, paying renewal fees, and in some cases completing refresher training or updated background checks.
What changes took effect recently regarding concealed carry in Connecticut?
Effective October 1, 2023, Connecticut updated its firearm transfer laws requiring all handgun transfers to be conducted through a licensed dealer or with a valid permit. The state also continues to refine permit eligibility and training requirements as part of ongoing legislative reviews to balance rights and public safety
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About The Author Jake Smith (@notjakesmith) is a copywriter and photographer based in the pacific northwest. He graduated from the University of Idaho with degrees in public relations and apparel. |