Researcher: DC Page 1 4/23/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 7194
AN ACT CONCERNING SELF -DEFENSE.
SUMMARY
This bill specifies that unlawfully discharging a firearm does not
include intentionally discharging a firearm for lawful self-defense or
defending another person.
Existing law allows the Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection (DEEP) commissioner to adopt regulations and issue orders
in the interest of public safety to prevent unreasonable conduct and
abuses by hunters and to provide reasonable control for their actions
and behaviors. The bill specifically prohibits the regulations or orders
from prohibiting or being construed to prohibit intentionally
discharging a firearm for lawful self-defense or defending another
person.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Unlawfully Discharging a Firearm
By law, a person unlawfully discharges a firearm when he or she
intentionally, negligently, or carelessly discharges a firearm in a way
likely to cause bodily injury or death to individuals or domestic animals,
or the wanton destruction of property. Violators are guilty of a class C
misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months imprisonment, up to a
$500 fine, or both.
Justified Use of Force to Defend Self or Others
By law, a person is generally justified in using reasonable physical
force to defend himself, herself, or a third person from what he or she
reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of force, and may use
the degree of force reasonably believed necessary. Generally, a person 2025HB-07194-R000752-BA.DOCX
Researcher: DC Page 2 4/23/25
can instead use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that
someone is using or about to use deadly physical force or inflict great
bodily harm on them or someone else.
But despite these provisions, a person cannot use deadly force if he
or she can avoid doing so with complete safety by (1) retreating, with
certain exceptions (such as not having to do so at the person’s home); (2)
surrendering possession to property the other person claims to own; or
(3) obeying a demand to not take an action he or she is not otherwise
required to take.
The law provides certain other exceptions to the justified use of
physical force, such as if the person provoked the attack with intent to
cause injury or death to someone else (CGS § 53a-19).
Hunting Regulations
By law, the DEEP commissioner may adopt regulations and issue
orders on various hunting-related prohibitions and restrictions. Among
other things, these regulations and orders may prohibit (1) carrying
loaded firearms and hunting within specified distances of buildings; (2)
discharging firearms and other hunting devices within specified
distances of buildings and, when within this distance, discharging them
towards individuals, buildings, and livestock; and (3) damaging
property, livestock, and agricultural crops.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 41 Nay 0 (04/07/2025)