Connecticut Statewide Rule
Connecticut Bans Open Carry of Firearms in Public
Key Facts
- Open carry
- Banned since October 1, 2023
- Statute
- § 29-35(a)(2); Public Act 23-53
- Permit
- Required; carry must be concealed
- Incidental exposure
- Printing or glimpse not a violation
- Long guns
- Public carry generally restricted
Summary
Since October 1, 2023, Connecticut prohibits the open carry or intentional public display of firearms. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(2), even a valid pistol permit holder must carry concealed; a fleeting glimpse or printing through clothing is not a violation.
(2) No person shall knowingly carry any firearm with intent to display such firearm, except when such person is within such person's dwelling house, on land leased, [or] owned or otherwise possessed by such person or within the place of business of such person, or such person is engaged in firearm training or bona fide hunting activity, or such person has been explicitly permitted by another person to carry such firearm with intent to display such firearm while within such other person's dwelling house, on land leased, owned or otherwise possessed by such other person, or within the place of business of such other person. For the purposes of this subdivision, a person shall not be House Bill No. 6895 deemed to be carrying a firearm with intent to display such firearm if such person has taken reasonable measures to conceal the fact that such person is carrying a firearm. Neither a fleeting glimpse of a firearm nor an imprint of a firearm through such person's clothing shall constitute a violation of this subdivision.
Full Breakdown
Public Act 23-53 amended Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35 to prohibit knowingly carrying a firearm with intent to display it in public, effective October 1, 2023. A pistol permit is still required to carry a handgun at all, but permit holders must now keep it concealed except on their own property or business, or with the property owner's permission. A brief accidental exposure or an imprint through clothing does not constitute unlawful display. Long guns generally cannot be carried in public absent a lawful purpose such as hunting or transport to a range.
Violations & Penalties
Carrying without a valid permit violates § 29-35 (a felony); intentionally displaying a firearm in public is a separate offense under the open-carry ban added by Public Act 23-53.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is open carry legal in Connecticut?
Can towns set their own carry rules?
Sources
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