What Are CT-Compliant Guns?
Connecticut-compliant guns are firearms that meet the state’s requirements for legal ownership, possession, and transfer under Connecticut law. This includes restrictions on magazine capacity, bans on certain “assault weapons” by name or features, and requirements that all sales go through a licensed dealer with background checks and waiting periods
Who Can Legally Buy Guns In Connecticut?
Connecticut residents may purchase firearms as long as they are of the proper legal age and possess a valid Carry Permit, Handgun Eligibility Certificate, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate. Requirements for obtaining a permit / certificate can be found here.
Additionally, individuals with any of the above-mentioned documents, or a valid or Ammunition Certificate, may purchase ammunition online as long as the seller has a copy of the valid permit or certificate on file. Armor-piercing or incendiary .50 caliber ammunition is prohibited.
Statewide Restrictions
Connecticut has implemented several laws regulating the sale of firearms, ammunition, and accessories at the state level. This legislation expressly prohibits:
- Any magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds. Large-capacity magazines owned before the passing of legislation on April 4, 2013 must be registered and may not be loaded with more than 10 rounds outside the owner’s residence or place of business.
- Any device, component, or combination of parts which increases the rate of fire of any firearm, including but not limited to bump stocks, binary triggers, and trigger cranks.
- Online bulletproof vest sales.
- The following combination of firearms parts designed or intended to convert a semi-automatic firearm into an "assault weapon."
Connecticut Assault Weapons Ban
Connecticut law prohibits the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms classified as “assault weapons,” as well as parts designed or intended to convert a semi-automatic firearm into an assault weapon. Prohibited features and components include:
- Folding, telescoping, or thumbhole stocks, as well as pistol grips
- Vertical or foregrips
- Flash hiders, flash suppressors, or muzzle brakes
- Threaded barrels
- Grenade launchers
- Upper receivers and other components that can be readily assembled into an assault weapon, including AR- and AK-style receivers
- Barrel shrouds
Any firearm explicitly listed as a restricted “assault weapon,” along with all copies or duplicates, cannot be purchased, shipped, or possessed in Connecticut. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns meeting the assault weapon definition are included under this ban. Firearms legally owned prior to the 2013 assault weapons law must be registered with the state to remain compliant.
Guns You Can Legally Own In Connecticut
On top of the statewide restrictions listed above, Connecticut has introduced additional regulations for long guns and handguns. A Connecticut-compliant gun is any firearm that is not expressly named as an "assault weapon" or otherwise prohibited under Connecticut law.
CT-Compliant Rifles
Most rifles are legal in Connecticut; however, AR and AK upper / lower receivers are expressly prohibited. To be considered legal, centerfire rifles that can accept a detachable magazine must not have any of the following features:
- A folding or telescoping stock.
- A pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or any other grip allowing any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger to be directly below the action when firing.
- Forward pistol grips.
- Bayonet mounts.
- Flash suppressors.
- Threaded barrels.
- A grenade or flare launcher.
- An overall length of less than 30".
Additionally, .22 caliber semi-auto rimfire rifles that can accept a detachable magazine must not have two or more of these features:
- A pistol grip.
- A folding or telescoping stock.
- Threaded barrels.
- Flash suppressors.
- Bayonet mounts.
Rock Island Armory TM22-S-18 TM22 Standard 18" Barrel, 10rd Magazine, Black
CT-Compliant Shotguns
As with most restrictive states, Connecticut law is a bit more relaxed concerning shotguns. Semi-auto shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine are prohibited, but most other shotguns are allowed, provided they do not have:
- A revolving cylinder.
- A fixed magazine with a capacity over 5 rounds (semi-auto shotguns only).
- A folding or telescoping stock AND a pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or any other grip allowing any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger to be directly below the action when firing (semi-auto shotguns only).
CT-Compliant Handguns
Only one handgun (the Walther PPQ M2) is expressly prohibited in Connecticut. To be considered legal, all other semi-auto pistols must not have any of the following features:
- A second hand grip.
- Threaded barrels.
- Barrel shrouds (excluding slides that enclose the barrel).
- The ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine that attaches at a location outside of the pistol grip.
- A manufactured weight of 50oz or more.
Other Prohibited Items
Connecticut also prohibits certain "Other" firearms, including the Remington Tac-13 and similar models. Additionally, state law expressly prohibits any semi-auto firearm other than a pistol, rifle, or shotgun that has one or more of the following:
- A pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or any other grip allowing any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger to be directly below the action when firing.
- The ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine that attaches at a location outside of the pistol grip.
- A fixed magazine with the ability to accept more than 10 rounds.
- Flash suppressors and silencers.
- Threaded barrels.
- Barrel shrouds (excluding slides that enclose the barrel).
- A second hand grip.
- An arm brace or other stabilizing brace that could allow a firearm to be fired from the shoulder.
Why Are Some Guns Not Available In Connecticut?
Connecticut maintains some of the strictest gun laws in the country, which means certain firearms available elsewhere cannot be legally purchased or possessed in the state. Guns may be unavailable because they:
- Are classified as “assault weapons” under Connecticut law, either by name, by copy, or by possessing two or more prohibited features.
- Have magazine capacities exceeding state limits (10 rounds for handguns and rifles, five rounds for shotguns).
- Include specific features or designs that the state deems unsafe for civilian ownership, such as folding stocks combined with pistol grips or threaded barrels.
- Fall under other explicit prohibitions, such as AR- and AK-style receivers, "Other" firearms such as the Remington Tac-13, or rate-of-fire enhancement devices.
Despite these restrictions, Connecticut residents can still lawfully exercise their Second Amendment rights provided they ensure their firearms are fully compliant.
How To Ensure Your Firearms Are CT-Compliant
Buying or owning a gun in Connecticut requires attention to both state laws and specific firearm features. Make sure you:
- Have a valid Handgun or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate, or a Carry Permit.
- Confirm the firearm isn’t classified as an "assault weapon" by name or design.
- Follow magazine capacity limits (10 rounds for rifles and handguns, five rounds for shotguns).
- Check semi-automatic firearms for prohibited feature combinations.
- Avoid expressly banned models such as AR or AK-style receivers, the Walther PPQ M2, or certain "Other" firearms such as the Remington Tac-13.
- Complete all firearms transfers with the assistance of a Connecticut FFL dealer and keep all paperwork on hand.
These steps help ensure your firearms are fully compliant with state and federal law.
Shopping For A Legal Gun In Connecticut? We've Got You Covered
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