Connecticut State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

State Pistol Permit

Coronavirus Notification:

  • DESPP-HQ is open for new pistol permit applicants no appointments required. - 10/22/2021


The Special Licensing 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.

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. Email your request to SLFU.OOS@ct.gov 

Information can be found in the following categories:

CT Approved Instructors (updated 11/20/24)

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, has been voluntarily admitted on or after October 1, 2013, to 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 Permitting offices in the case of a state pistol permit.

You are required to complete a handgun safety course, which must consist of no less than the NRA's "Basic Pistol Course," prior to submitting the application. The NRA's "Home Firearms Safety Course" and "First Steps Pistol Orientation Program" are not approved courses.

Live fire is also required.  Computer-generated programs, dry-fire, other simulated shooting tools, plastic bullets, air guns or any other alternatives are not acceptable.  Students must fire a semi-automatic pistol or revolver.   Any questions should be referred to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.

You will also be required to submit to a background investigation, criminal history check and submit fingerprints and photographs in connection with your application. The licensing statute also contains a “suitability clause” which provides that the issuing authority may deny such application, if it determines that the applicant is not a suitable person to possess or carry a pistol or revolver. The suitability clause applies both to the issuance of new permits and revocation of existing permits.  Applicants must provide proof you are legally and lawfully in the United States, such as a birth certificate, or U.S. Passport. Legal Alien Residents must provide Alien Registration numbers and 90-day proof of residency.  Naturalized citizens require proof of citizenship.

The issuing authority has 8 weeks to review your application and approve or deny. A denial may be appealed to the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners as provide in C.G.S. Section 29-32.

Eligibility Certificate for the purchase of pistols or revolvers.

An eligibility certificate is issued pursuant to C.G.S. 29-36f through 29-36i. It entitles the holder to purchase a firearm and transport same to their residence or place of business. It does not entitle the holder to carry a pistol or revolver on their person.

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 an eligibility certificate. 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, persons voluntarily admitted on or after October 1, 2013, to 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 an eligibility certificate.

The cost for obtaining an eligibility certificate is $35.00, payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut. The eligibility certificate is good for a period of five years. The application paperwork may be obtained from SLFU or any state police barracks. You are required to complete a handgun safety course prior to submitting the application, which must consist of no less than the NRA's "Basic Pistol Course." The NRA's "Home Firearms Safety Course" and "First Steps Pistol Orientation Program" are not approved courses.

You will also be required to submit to a background investigation, criminal history check and submit photographs and fingerprints in connection with your application.

The issuing authority has 90 days to review your application and issue an approval or denial. In the event that they deny your application, they must provide you a written explanation listing the basis for denial. A denial may be appealed to the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners as provided under C.G.S. 29-32b.

Pistol Permit Renewals

Ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of your permit, the issuing authority will mail out a renewal letter to your last known address. The law requires that you notify the issuing authority within 48 hours of changing your address. Currently, permit renewals can be mailed in or completed online. No in-person renewals. 

Instructions for the mail in process can be obtained here

Instructions for the online process can be obtained here To renew your pistol permit online click here

The cost of renewing a state pistol permit is $70.00. 

If you lose your renewal letter or fail to receive a letter in the mail, you may obtain a replacement form by clicking on renewal application below. State pistol permit holders are granted a 90 grace period to renew their permit. Permits expired beyond 90 days will not be renewed.

Change of Address

A person holding a state or local pistol permit is required to notify the issuing authority within TWO BUSINESS DAYS of any change of address.  Persons holding a state pistol permit may change their address via our online portal by clicking here.  A change of address may also be done by mailing a letter to DESPP-CT State Police, Special Licensing & Firearms Unit, 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT, 06457.  Please include your name, permit number, old address and new address.  Any problems with the online portal, please contact us via email DESPP.SLFU@ct.gov or by phone at (860) 685-8290.

Lost or Stolen

Any time a pistol permit is lost or stolen the person should first contact police in the area where the theft or loss occurred and file a police report. The person should then contact the issuing authority and notify them of the theft or loss. SLFU can be contacted at (860) 685-8494 to report the loss or theft of a state pistol permit.

A person may replace a lost or stolen pistol permit by mail only. Please fill out the DPS-900-C-1 form and submit to the SLFU office including a check or money order of $5.00 made out to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut to Special Licensing and Firearms Unit 1111 Country Club Rd, Middletown, CT 06457.


Supplemental Firearm Permit

Persons holding various licenses issued by SLFU, including bail enforcement agents, bail bondsman and security guards, are required to obtain supplemental firearm permits if they wish to carry a firearm in the course of their duties. The permits are issued in addition to the state pistol permit and insure that the person has completed specialized training and range qualification. The supplement permit must be carried on their person any time they have a firearm in their possession. Refer to specific license categories for information concerning supplemental firearm permits.

Pistol Permit Revocations

Connecticut General Statute, sec. 29-32 provides the basis for revocation of state and local pistol permits. The statute states in part:

“Any permit for the carrying of any pistol or revolver may be revoked by the authority issuing same for cause and shall be revoked by the authority issuing same upon conviction of the holder of such permit of a felony or of any misdemeanor specified in subsection (b) of section 29-28 or upon the occurrence of any event which would have disqualified the holder from being issued the permit pursuant to subsection (b) of section 29-28”.

The statute further states:

"Upon the revocation of any permit, the person whose permit is revoked shall be notified in writing and such permit shall be forthwith delivered to the authority issuing the same".

"Any person who fails to surrender such permit within five days of notification in writing of revocation thereof shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor".

Board of Firearms Permit Examiners

Connecticut General Statute, Section  29-32(b) provides for the establishment of a Board of Firearm Permit Examiners (BFPE). The board is composed of 7 members appointed by the governor to review appeals made by persons denied the issuance of a pistol permit, or whose permit has been revoked.

A person has ninety days following the refusal of an issuance of a permit, or revocation or limitation of same to file an appeal with the BFPE. The BFPE is located at the State Office Building, 20 Trinity St., 5th Floor, Hartford CT 06106, and can be contacted at 860-256-2977. The board requires the submission of a written statement of fact to initiate an appeal. The appeal is considered filed when the statement is received. You must provide your name, address and telephone contact number in the statement.

Upon receipt of the statement, the board will evaluate the basis of your appeal. If the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the board, the matter will be assigned a hearing date. Hearings are conducted in an informal manner, but rules of evidence are followed and all witnesses are sworn in. A transcript of the hearing is maintained. The decisions of the board shall be rendered by a majority vote and the appellant notified in writing within 20 days of such decision. The decision of the board may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. sec. 4-183.

Forms

DPS-129-C Application for Pistol Permit Renewal
DPS-769-C Instructions to Applicants & Photo Pistol Permit Schedule
DPS-799-C Temporary State Permit to Carry Pistols or Revolvers
DPS-46

*Application for State Permit to Carry Pistol and Revolvers

**Can be obtained at one of the Pistol Permit locations listed on the instruction sheet DPS-769-C.



Last Date Modified: 07/01/2024