Connecticut State Pistol Permit
Special Licensing and Firearms
The Special License and Firearms Unit is responsible for the issuance of state pistol permits. Applicants for a state pistol permit must first apply for, and be granted a local pistol permit. A local pistol permit may be obtained from the police chief in the town in which you reside or maintain a place of business.
Out of state residents may apply for a non-resident Connecticut State Pistol Permit. Non-residents apply directly to the Connecticut State Police, Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. Call 860-685-8494 to have an application mailed out.
Information can be found in the following categories:
Instructions to Applicants
The guidelines for obtaining both a local and state pistol permit are contained in C.G.S., sec. 29-28, 29-28a, and 28-29. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and be a legal resident of the United States. Persons convicted of a felony or any one of 11 misdemeanor offenses detailed in the statute are ineligible to receive a permit. Persons convicted as a delinquent for the commission of a serious juvenile offense (as defined in section 46b-120); persons 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 section 53a-13); persons confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities (as defined in section 17a-495), within the preceding 12 months by order of a probate court; persons subject to a restraining or protective order issued by a court in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person; persons subject to a firearms seizure order issued pursuant to C.G.S. 29-38c after notice and hearing; and any person who is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States, are prohibited from obtaining a pistol permit. The cost for obtaining a pistol permit is $70.00. The permit is good for a period of five years. The application paperwork may be obtained from a local police department, city or town hall or first selectman’s office in the case of a local permit, or any state police barracks in the case of a state pistol permit.
You are required to complete a Connecticut State Police approved handgun safety course, (Live Fire is required).
