Am I Eligible to Apply for a CT Pistol Permit?

Connecticut law establishes a number of requirements and disqualifying conditions for obtaining a Connecticut Pistol Permit. The information below provides a general overview of the eligibility requirements for applicants.

Basic CT Pistol Permit Requirements

• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must be legally and lawfully in the United States.
• You must successfully complete a firearms safety course approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection not earlier than two years before submitting your application.

Statutory Disqualifiers

Connecticut law contains several conditions that can make an applicant ineligible for a pistol permit. These include:

• Conviction of a felony.
• A misdemeanor conviction under Connecticut General Statutes § 21a-279 on or after October 1, 2015.
• During the preceding eight years, a misdemeanor conviction under any of the following Connecticut General Statutes: §§ 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d.
• A misdemeanor conviction for an offense designated as a family violence crime pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-38h.
• Certain misdemeanor convictions from another state, federal, tribal or military court, or a foreign jurisdiction during the preceding eight years that meet the criteria established by Connecticut law.
• A delinquency adjudication for the commission of a serious juvenile offense as defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-120.
• Being discharged from custody within the preceding twenty years after having been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-13.
• Certain court-ordered commitments or certain voluntary or emergency admissions to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the time periods established by Connecticut law.
• Being subject to a qualifying restraining or protective order.
• Being subject to a qualifying firearms seizure order, risk protection order or risk protection investigation order.
• Being prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing or receiving a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(2), (g)(4) or (g)(9).
• Being an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States.

Connecticut's Suitability Requirement

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements and having none of the statutory disqualifiers does not by itself guarantee that a Connecticut Pistol Permit will be issued. Connecticut law also requires the issuing authority to determine that an applicant is a suitable person to receive a permit.

Have a Question About Your Eligibility?

If you are uncertain whether something in your criminal, juvenile, court or other history affects your eligibility, you should review the current Connecticut statutes and, when appropriate, consult a qualified attorney before applying.

Important: This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Connecticut firearms laws can change, and individual circumstances can affect eligibility.

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