Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07194 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 3
	3	+	LCO No. 5895 1 of 16
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 7194
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7194
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 5895
7	8
8	9
	10	+	Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
9	11
10	12
	13	+	Introduced by:
	14	+	(JUD)
11	15
12		-	AN ACT CONCERNING SELF -DEFENSE.
	16	+
	17	+	AN ACT CONCERNING SELF -DEFENSE AND CONCERNING THE
	18	+	TRANSFER OF LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND ASSAULT
	19	+	WEAPONS.
13	20		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
14	21		Assembly convened:
15	22
16	23		Section 1. Section 53-203 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
17	24		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 2
18		-	(a) Any person who intentionally, negligently or carelessly 3
19		-	discharges any firearm in such a manner as to be likely to cause bodily 4
20		-	injury or death to persons or domestic animals, or the wanton 5
21		-	destruction of property, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. 6
22		-	(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not be 7
23		-	construed to prohibit the intentional discharge of a firearm for the 8
24		-	purpose of lawful self-defense or lawful defense of another person. 9
25		-	Sec. 2. Section 26-66 of the general statutes is repealed and the 10
26		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 11
27		-	The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the 12
28		-	provisions of chapter 54 governing the taking of wildlife, provided any 13
29		-	regulations concerning the taking of migratory game birds shall be 14
30		-	consistent with section 26-91. The regulations may: (1) Establish the 15
31		-	open and closed seasons, which may be modified by decreasing or 16
32		-	increasing the number of days for any specific species, (2) establish 17 Substitute Bill No. 7194
	25	+	(a) Any person who [intentionally] recklessly, negligently or 3
	26	+	carelessly discharges any firearm in such a manner as to be likely to 4
	27	+	cause bodily injury or death to persons or domestic animals, or the 5
	28	+	wanton destruction of property, shall be guilty of a class C 6
	29	+	misdemeanor. 7
	30	+	(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not be 8
	31	+	construed to prohibit the intentional discharge of a firearm for the 9
	32	+	purpose of lawful self-defense or lawful defense of another person. 10
	33	+	Sec. 2. Section 26-66 of the general statutes is repealed and the 11
	34	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 12
	35	+	The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the 13
	36	+	provisions of chapter 54 governing the taking of wildlife, provided any 14
	37	+	regulations concerning the taking of migratory game birds shall be 15
	38	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
33	39
34	40
35		-	LCO 2 of 3
36	41
37		-	hours, days or periods during the open season when hunting shall not 18
38		-	be permitted for specific species, (3) establish legal hours, (4) prescribe 19
39		-	the legal methods, including type, kind, gauge and caliber of weapons 20
40		-	and ammunition, including long bow, (5) prescribe the sex of wildlife 21
41		-	that may be taken on a state-wide or local area basis, (6) establish the 22
42		-	daily bag limit and the season bag limit, (7) establish the maximum 23
43		-	number of persons that may hunt on designated areas during any 24
44		-	twenty-four-hour period, (8) require that a permit be obtained from the 25
45		-	landowner or such landowner's agent, or the commissioner or such 26
46		-	commissioner's agent, to enter upon designated premises or areas for 27
47		-	the purpose of hunting, and further require that such permit be returned 28
48		-	within a specified time to the issuing authority with an accurate report 29
49		-	of all wildlife taken under such permit, the time spent on the premises 30
50		-	or area and any other data required by the commissioner for 31
51		-	management purposes, (9) establish areas that shall be restricted for 32
52		-	designated periods for hunting only with long bow or other specified 33
53		-	weapons, (10) establish areas that shall be restricted for designated 34
54		-	periods for hunting exclusively by persons with physical disabilities, 35
55		-	(11) establish requirements and procedures for tagging and reporting 36
56		-	birds or animals taken by hunting or trapping, [;] and (12) provided no 37
57		-	regulation or order prohibits or may be construed to prohibit the 38
58		-	intentional discharge of a firearm for the purpose of lawful self-defense 39
59		-	or lawful defense of another person, in the interest of public safety and 40
60		-	for the purpose of preventing unreasonable conduct and abuses by 41
61		-	hunters, and to provide reasonable control of the actions and behavior 42
62		-	of such persons, said commissioner may issue regulations and orders to 43
63		-	[(12)] (A) prohibit the carrying of loaded firearms and hunting within 44
64		-	specified distances of buildings, [(13)] (B) prohibit the discharge of 45
65		-	firearms and other hunting devices within specified distances of 46
66		-	buildings and, when within specified distances, the discharge of such 47
67		-	firearms and devices toward persons, buildings and livestock, [(14)] (C) 48
68		-	prohibit hunting while on any road adjacent to any state park, state 49
69		-	forest, premises used for the breeding, rearing or holding in captivity of 50
70		-	wildlife or premises used for zoological purposes, [(15)] (D) establish 51
71		-	minimum distances between fixed positions, floating and drift blinds 52 Substitute Bill No. 7194
	42	+	LCO No. 5895 2 of 16
	43	+
	44	+	consistent with section 26-91. The regulations may: (1) Establish the 16
	45	+	open and closed seasons, which may be modified by decreasing or 17
	46	+	increasing the number of days for any specific species, (2) establish 18
	47	+	hours, days or periods during the open season when hunting shall not 19
	48	+	be permitted for specific species, (3) establish legal hours, (4) prescribe 20
	49	+	the legal methods, including type, kind, gauge and caliber of weapons 21
	50	+	and ammunition, including long bow, (5) prescribe the sex of wildlife 22
	51	+	that may be taken on a state-wide or local area basis, (6) establish the 23
	52	+	daily bag limit and the season bag limit, (7) establish the maximum 24
	53	+	number of persons that may hunt on designated areas during any 25
	54	+	twenty-four-hour period, (8) require that a permit be obtained from the 26
	55	+	landowner or such landowner's agent, or the commissioner or such 27
	56	+	commissioner's agent, to enter upon designated premises or areas for 28
	57	+	the purpose of hunting, and further require that such permit be returned 29
	58	+	within a specified time to the issuing authority with an accurate report 30
	59	+	of all wildlife taken under such permit, the time spent on the premises 31
	60	+	or area and any other data required by the commissioner for 32
	61	+	management purposes, (9) establish areas that shall be restricted for 33
	62	+	designated periods for hunting only with long bow or other specified 34
	63	+	weapons, (10) establish areas that shall be restricted for designated 35
	64	+	periods for hunting exclusively by persons with physical disabilities, 36
	65	+	(11) establish requirements and procedures for tagging and reporting 37
	66	+	birds or animals taken by hunting or trapping, [;] and (12) provided no 38
	67	+	regulation or order prohibits or may be construed to prohibit the 39
	68	+	intentional discharge of a firearm for the purpose of lawful self-defense 40
	69	+	or lawful defense of another person, in the interest of public safety and 41
	70	+	for the purpose of preventing unreasonable conduct and abuses by 42
	71	+	hunters, and to provide reasonable control of the actions and behavior 43
	72	+	of such persons, said commissioner may issue regulations and orders to 44
	73	+	[(12)] (A) prohibit the carrying of loaded firearms and hunting within 45
	74	+	specified distances of buildings, [(13)] (B) prohibit the discharge of 46
	75	+	firearms and other hunting devices within specified distances of 47
	76	+	buildings and, when within specified distances, the discharge of such 48
	77	+	firearms and devices toward persons, buildings and livestock, [(14)] (C) 49
	78	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
72	79
73	80
74		-	LCO 3 of 3
75	81
76		-	for waterfowl hunting, [(16)] (E) prohibit crossing over lawns and lands 53
77		-	under cultivation, [(17)] (F) prohibit damage to property, livestock and 54
78		-	agricultural crops, [(18)] (G) prohibit, during specified periods on 55
79		-	designated areas, the training, exercising and running of dogs under 56
80		-	control or uncontrolled, [(19)] (H) prohibit the operation and parking of 57
81		-	vehicles on designated portions of public and private roads, parking 58
82		-	areas, lanes, passageways, rights-of-way, fields and lots, [(20)] (I) 59
83		-	prohibit the discarding of bottles, glass, cans, paper, junk, litter and 60
84		-	trash, [(21)] (J) control the launching, anchoring, mooring, storage and 61
85		-	abandonment of boats, trailers and related equipment on properties 62
86		-	under the control of the commissioner, [(22)] (K) specify [(A)] (i) the 63
87		-	persons who shall wear fluorescent orange clothing, [(B)] (ii) the time 64
88		-	periods during which such clothing shall be worn, and [(C)] (iii) the 65
89		-	types and amounts of such clothing which shall be worn, on and after 66
90		-	January 1, 1989, when hunting. 67
	82	+	LCO No. 5895 3 of 16
	83	+
	84	+	prohibit hunting while on any road adjacent to any state park, state 50
	85	+	forest, premises used for the breeding, rearing or holding in captivity of 51
	86	+	wildlife or premises used for zoological purposes, [(15)] (D) establish 52
	87	+	minimum distances between fixed positions, floating and drift blinds 53
	88	+	for waterfowl hunting, [(16)] (E) prohibit crossing over lawns and lands 54
	89	+	under cultivation, [(17)] (F) prohibit damage to property, livestock and 55
	90	+	agricultural crops, [(18)] (G) prohibit, during specified periods on 56
	91	+	designated areas, the training, exercising and running of dogs under 57
	92	+	control or uncontrolled, [(19)] (H) prohibit the operation and parking of 58
	93	+	vehicles on designated portions of public and private roads, parking 59
	94	+	areas, lanes, passageways, rights-of-way, fields and lots, [(20)] (I) 60
	95	+	prohibit the discarding of bottles, glass, cans, paper, junk, litter and 61
	96	+	trash, [(21)] (J) control the launching, anchoring, mooring, storage and 62
	97	+	abandonment of boats, trailers and related equipment on properties 63
	98	+	under the control of the commissioner, [(22)] (K) specify [(A)] (i) the 64
	99	+	persons who shall wear fluorescent orange clothing, [(B)] (ii) the time 65
	100	+	periods during which such clothing shall be worn, and [(C)] (iii) the 66
	101	+	types and amounts of such clothing which shall be worn, on and after 67
	102	+	January 1, 1989, when hunting. 68
	103	+	Sec. 3. Section 53-202w of the general statutes is repealed and the 69
	104	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 70
	105	+	(a) As used in this section and section 53-202x: 71
	106	+	(1) "Large capacity magazine" means any firearm magazine, belt, 72
	107	+	drum, feed strip or similar device that has the capacity of, or can be 73
	108	+	readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of 74
	109	+	ammunition, but does not include: (A) A feeding device that has been 75
	110	+	permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than ten 76
	111	+	rounds of ammunition, (B) a .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding 77
	112	+	device, (C) a tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action 78
	113	+	firearm, or (D) a magazine that is permanently inoperable; 79
	114	+	(2) "Lawfully possesses", with respect to a large capacity magazine, 80
	115	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	116	+
	117	+
	118	+
	119	+	LCO No. 5895 4 of 16
	120	+
	121	+	means that a person has (A) actual and lawful possession of the large 81
	122	+	capacity magazine, (B) constructive possession of the large capacity 82
	123	+	magazine pursuant to a lawful purchase of a firearm that contains a 83
	124	+	large capacity magazine that was transacted prior to or on April 4, 2013, 84
	125	+	regardless of whether the firearm was delivered to the purchaser prior 85
	126	+	to or on April 4, 2013, which lawful purchase is evidenced by a writing 86
	127	+	sufficient to indicate that (i) a contract for sale was made between the 87
	128	+	parties prior to or on April 4, 2013, for the purchase of the firearm, or (ii) 88
	129	+	full or partial payment for the firearm was made by the purchaser to the 89
	130	+	seller of the firearm prior to or on April 4, 2013, or (C) actual possession 90
	131	+	under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, or constructive possession 91
	132	+	under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, as evidenced by a written 92
	133	+	statement made under penalty of false statement on such form as the 93
	134	+	Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection prescribes; 94
	135	+	and 95
	136	+	(3) "Licensed gun dealer" means a person who has a federal firearms 96
	137	+	license and a permit to sell firearms pursuant to section 29-28. 97
	138	+	(b) Except as provided in this section, on and after April 5, 2013, any 98
	139	+	person who, within this state, distributes, imports into this state, keeps 99
	140	+	for sale, offers or exposes for sale, or purchases a large capacity 100
	141	+	magazine shall be guilty of a class D felony. On and after April 5, 2013, 101
	142	+	any person who, within this state, transfers a large capacity magazine, 102
	143	+	except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, shall be guilty of a 103
	144	+	class D felony. 104
	145	+	(c) Except as provided in this section and section 53-202x, any person 105
	146	+	who possesses a large capacity magazine shall be guilty of a (1) class D 106
	147	+	felony if such person is ineligible to possess a firearm under state or 107
	148	+	federal law, or (2) class A misdemeanor if such person is not ineligible 108
	149	+	to possess a firearm under state or federal law. 109
	150	+	(d) A large capacity magazine may be possessed, purchased or 110
	151	+	imported by: 111
	152	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	153	+
	154	+
	155	+
	156	+	LCO No. 5895 5 of 16
	157	+
	158	+	(1) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 112
	159	+	police departments, the Department of Correction, the Division of 113
	160	+	Criminal Justice, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of 114
	161	+	Energy and Environmental Protection or the military or naval forces of 115
	162	+	this state or of the United States; 116
	163	+	(2) A sworn and duly certified member of an organized police 117
	164	+	department, the Division of State Police within the Department of 118
	165	+	Emergency Services and Public Protection or the Department of 119
	166	+	Correction, a chief inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal 120
	167	+	Justice, a salaried inspector of motor vehicles designated by the 121
	168	+	Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, a conservation officer or special 122
	169	+	conservation officer appointed by the Commissioner of Energy and 123
	170	+	Environmental Protection pursuant to section 26-5, or a constable who 124
	171	+	is certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council and 125
	172	+	appointed by the chief executive authority of a town, city or borough to 126
	173	+	perform criminal law enforcement duties, for use by such sworn 127
	174	+	member, inspector, officer or constable in the discharge of such sworn 128
	175	+	member's, inspector's, officer's or constable's official duties or when off 129
	176	+	duty; 130
	177	+	(3) A member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the 131
	178	+	United States; 132
	179	+	(4) A nuclear facility licensed by the United States Nuclear 133
	180	+	Regulatory Commission for the purpose of providing security services 134
	181	+	at such facility, or any contractor or subcontractor of such facility for the 135
	182	+	purpose of providing security services at such facility; 136
	183	+	(5) Any person who is sworn and acts as a policeman on behalf of an 137
	184	+	armored car service pursuant to section 29-20 in the discharge of such 138
	185	+	person's official duties; or 139
	186	+	(6) Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of 140
	187	+	manufacturing large capacity magazines in this state that manufactures, 141
	188	+	purchases, tests or transports large capacity magazines in this state for 142
	189	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	190	+
	191	+
	192	+
	193	+	LCO No. 5895 6 of 16
	194	+
	195	+	sale within this state to persons specified in subdivisions (1) to (5), 143
	196	+	inclusive, of this subsection or for sale outside this state, or a federally-144
	197	+	licensed firearm manufacturer engaged in the business of 145
	198	+	manufacturing firearms or large capacity magazines in this state that 146
	199	+	manufactures, purchases, tests or transports firearms or large capacity 147
	200	+	magazines in this state for sale within this state to persons specified in 148
	201	+	subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of this subsection or for sale outside 149
	202	+	this state. 150
	203	+	(e) A large capacity magazine may be possessed by: 151
	204	+	(1) A licensed gun dealer; 152
	205	+	(2) A gunsmith who is in a licensed gun dealer's employ, who 153
	206	+	possesses such large capacity magazine for the purpose of servicing or 154
	207	+	repairing a lawfully possessed large capacity magazine; 155
	208	+	(3) A person, firm, corporation or federally-licensed firearm 156
	209	+	manufacturer described in subdivision (6) of subsection (d) of this 157
	210	+	section that possesses a large capacity magazine that is lawfully 158
	211	+	possessed by another person for the purpose of servicing or repairing 159
	212	+	the large capacity magazine; 160
	213	+	(4) Any person who has declared possession of the magazine 161
	214	+	pursuant to section 53-202x; or 162
	215	+	(5) Any person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that 163
	216	+	includes a large capacity magazine, or the trustee of a trust that includes 164
	217	+	a large capacity magazine, the possession of which has been declared to 165
	218	+	the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection pursuant 166
	219	+	to section 53-202x, which is disposed of as authorized by the Probate 167
	220	+	Court, if the disposition is otherwise permitted by this section and 168
	221	+	section 53-202x. 169
	222	+	(f) Subsection (b) of this section shall not prohibit: 170
	223	+	(1) The transfer of a large capacity magazine, the possession of which 171
	224	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	225	+
	226	+
	227	+
	228	+	LCO No. 5895 7 of 16
	229	+
	230	+	has been declared to the Department of Emergency Services and Public 172
	231	+	Protection pursuant to section 53-202x, by bequest or intestate 173
	232	+	succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a trust, or 174
	233	+	(B) from a trust to a beneficiary; 175
	234	+	(2) The transfer of a large capacity magazine to a police department 176
	235	+	or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; 177
	236	+	(3) The transfer of a large capacity magazine to a licensed gun dealer 178
	237	+	in accordance with section 53-202x; [or] 179
	238	+	(4) The transfer of a large capacity magazine prior to October 1, 2013, 180
	239	+	from a licensed gun dealer, pawnbroker licensed under section 21-40, or 181
	240	+	consignment shop operator, as defined in section 21-39a, to any person 182
	241	+	who (A) possessed the large capacity magazine prior to or on April 4, 183
	242	+	2013, (B) placed a firearm that such person legally possessed, with the 184
	243	+	large capacity magazine included or attached, in the possession of such 185
	244	+	dealer, pawnbroker or operator prior to or on April 4, 2013, pursuant to 186
	245	+	an agreement between such person and such dealer, pawnbroker or 187
	246	+	operator for the sale of the firearm to a third person, and (C) is eligible 188
	247	+	to possess the firearm on the date of such transfer; or 189
	248	+	(5) The transfer of a large capacity magazine within this state between 190
	249	+	any of the persons specified in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of 191
	250	+	subsection (e) of this section. 192
	251	+	(g) The court may order suspension of prosecution in addition to any 193
	252	+	other diversionary programs available to the defendant, if the court 194
	253	+	finds that a violation of this section is not of a serious nature and that 195
	254	+	the person charged with such violation (1) will probably not offend in 196
	255	+	the future, (2) has not previously been convicted of a violation of this 197
	256	+	section, and (3) has not previously had a prosecution under this section 198
	257	+	suspended pursuant to this subsection, it may order suspension of 199
	258	+	prosecution in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 200
	259	+	29-33. 201
	260	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	261	+
	262	+
	263	+
	264	+	LCO No. 5895 8 of 16
	265	+
	266	+	Sec. 4. Section 53-202d of the general statutes is repealed and the 202
	267	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 203
	268	+	(a) (1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 204
	269	+	any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in 205
	270	+	subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, prior to October 206
	271	+	1, 1993, shall apply by October 1, 1994, or, if such person is a member of 207
	272	+	the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States and is 208
	273	+	unable to apply by October 1, 1994, because such member is or was on 209
	274	+	official duty outside of this state, shall apply within ninety days of 210
	275	+	returning to the state to the Department of Emergency Services and 211
	276	+	Public Protection, for a certificate of possession with respect to such 212
	277	+	assault weapon. 213
	278	+	(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to 214
	279	+	subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c shall be 215
	280	+	required to obtain a certificate of possession pursuant to this subdivision 216
	281	+	with respect to an assault weapon used for official duties, except that 217
	282	+	any person described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 53-218
	283	+	202c who purchases an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) 219
	284	+	of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, for use in the discharge of official 220
	285	+	duties who retires or is otherwise separated from service shall apply 221
	286	+	within ninety days of such retirement or separation from service to the 222
	287	+	Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 223
	288	+	certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. 224
	289	+	(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 225
	290	+	any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in any 226
	291	+	provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 227
	292	+	section 53-202a, on April 4, 2013, under the provisions of sections 53-228
	293	+	202a to 53-202k, inclusive, in effect on January 1, 2013, or any person 229
	294	+	who regains possession of an assault weapon as defined in any 230
	295	+	provision of said subparagraphs pursuant to subsection (e) of section 231
	296	+	53-202f, or any person who lawfully purchases a firearm on or after 232
	297	+	April 4, 2013, but prior to June 18, 2013, that meets the criteria set forth 233
	298	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	299	+
	300	+
	301	+
	302	+	LCO No. 5895 9 of 16
	303	+
	304	+	in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a of the general 234
	305	+	statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, shall apply by 235
	306	+	January 1, 2014, or, if such person is a member of the military or naval 236
	307	+	forces of this state or of the United States and is unable to apply by 237
	308	+	January 1, 2014, because such member is or was on official duty outside 238
	309	+	of this state, shall apply within ninety days of returning to the state to 239
	310	+	the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 240
	311	+	certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. Any 241
	312	+	person who lawfully purchases a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as 242
	313	+	an assault weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), 243
	314	+	inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of 244
	315	+	Emergency Services and Public Protection designates as being designed 245
	316	+	expressly for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games 246
	317	+	sponsored by the International Olympic Committee pursuant to 247
	318	+	regulations adopted under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 248
	319	+	53-202b shall apply within ninety days of such purchase to the 249
	320	+	Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 250
	321	+	certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. 251
	322	+	(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to 252
	323	+	subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c shall be 253
	324	+	required to obtain a certificate of possession pursuant to this subdivision 254
	325	+	with respect to an assault weapon used for official duties, except that 255
	326	+	any person described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 53-256
	327	+	202c who purchases an assault weapon, as defined in any provision of 257
	328	+	subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a 258
	329	+	for use in the discharge of official duties who retires or is otherwise 259
	330	+	separated from service shall apply within ninety days of such retirement 260
	331	+	or separation from service to the Department of Emergency Services and 261
	332	+	Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such 262
	333	+	assault weapon. 263
	334	+	(3) Any person who obtained a certificate of possession for an assault 264
	335	+	weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-265
	336	+	202a, prior to April 5, 2013, that is defined as an assault weapon 266
	337	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	338	+
	339	+
	340	+
	341	+	LCO No. 5895 10 of 16
	342	+
	343	+	pursuant to any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 267
	344	+	subdivision (1) of section 53-202a shall be deemed to have obtained a 268
	345	+	certificate of possession for such assault weapon for the purposes of 269
	346	+	sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and shall not be required to obtain 270
	347	+	a subsequent certificate of possession for such assault weapon. 271
	348	+	(4) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this 272
	349	+	subdivision, any person who lawfully possesses a 2023 assault weapon 273
	350	+	on June 5, 2023, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k, 274
	351	+	inclusive, in effect on January 1, 2023, or any person who regains 275
	352	+	possession of a 2023 assault weapon pursuant to subdivision (2) of 276
	353	+	subsection (e) of section 53-202f, shall apply by May 1, 2024, or, if such 277
	354	+	person is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the 278
	355	+	United States and is unable to apply by May 1, 2024, because such 279
	356	+	member is or was on official duty outside of this state, shall apply within 280
	357	+	ninety days of returning to the state to the Department of Emergency 281
	358	+	Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect 282
	359	+	to such assault weapon. The Department of Emergency Services and 283
	360	+	Public Protection shall accept applications both in paper and electronic 284
	361	+	form, to the extent practicable, and shall not require such applications 285
	362	+	be notarized. 286
	363	+	(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to 287
	364	+	subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c shall be 288
	365	+	required to obtain a certificate of possession pursuant to this subdivision 289
	366	+	with respect to an assault weapon used for official duties, except that 290
	367	+	any person described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 53-291
	368	+	202c who purchases a 2023 assault weapon for use in the discharge of 292
	369	+	official duties who retires or is otherwise separated from service shall 293
	370	+	apply within ninety days of such retirement or separation from service 294
	371	+	to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 295
	372	+	certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. 296
	373	+	(C) Any person who lawfully possesses a 2023 assault weapon 297
	374	+	pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of section 53-202c and whose 298
	375	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	376	+
	377	+
	378	+
	379	+	LCO No. 5895 11 of 16
	380	+
	381	+	Form 1 application to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 299
	382	+	Explosives has not yet been processed may, instead of following the 300
	383	+	procedure specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, apply by 301
	384	+	May 1, 2024, to the Department of Emergency Services and Public 302
	385	+	Protection for a temporary certificate of possession with respect to such 303
	386	+	assault weapon. Such temporary certificate of possession shall expire on 304
	387	+	the earlier of January 1, 2027, and the date seven days succeeding a 305
	388	+	denial of the Form 1 application. When the Form 1 application is 306
	389	+	approved with respect to such assault weapon, such person may apply 307
	390	+	to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to 308
	391	+	convert such temporary certificate of possession into a certificate of 309
	392	+	possession with respect to such assault weapon. If a complete 310
	393	+	application to convert is received, the Commissioner of Emergency 311
	394	+	Services and Public Protection shall approve the application. For the 312
	395	+	purposes of this subparagraph, a full and complete Form 1 application 313
	396	+	submitted to the Department of Emergency Services and Public 314
	397	+	Protection in a form and manner determined by the department shall be 315
	398	+	sufficient to constitute a complete application for a temporary certificate 316
	399	+	of possession, and a copy of the notice that a Form 1 application has 317
	400	+	been approved shall constitute a complete application to convert a 318
	401	+	temporary certificate of possession into a certificate of possession. The 319
	402	+	Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall accept 320
	403	+	applications under this subparagraph both in paper and electronic form, 321
	404	+	to the extent practicable, and shall not require such applications to be 322
	405	+	notarized. 323
	406	+	(5) Any person who obtained a certificate of possession for an assault 324
	407	+	weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs (A) to (F), 325
	408	+	inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a prior to June 6, 2023, that 326
	409	+	is also a 2023 assault weapon shall be deemed to have obtained a 327
	410	+	certificate of possession for such assault weapon for the purposes of 328
	411	+	sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and shall not be required to obtain 329
	412	+	a subsequent certificate of possession for such assault weapon. 330
	413	+	(6) The certificate of possession shall contain a description of the 331
	414	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	415	+
	416	+
	417	+
	418	+	LCO No. 5895 12 of 16
	419	+
	420	+	firearm that identifies it uniquely, including all identification marks, the 332
	421	+	full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint of the owner, and any 333
	422	+	other information as the department may deem appropriate. 334
	423	+	(7) The department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the 335
	424	+	provisions of chapter 54, to establish procedures with respect to the 336
	425	+	application for and issuance of certificates of possession pursuant to this 337
	426	+	section. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-210 and 1-211, the 338
	427	+	name and address of a person issued a certificate of possession shall be 339
	428	+	confidential and shall not be disclosed, except such records may be 340
	429	+	disclosed to (A) law enforcement agencies and employees of the United 341
	430	+	States Probation Office acting in the performance of their duties and 342
	431	+	parole officers within the Department of Correction acting in the 343
	432	+	performance of their duties, and (B) the Commissioner of Mental Health 344
	433	+	and Addiction Services to carry out the provisions of subsection (c) of 345
	434	+	section 17a-500. 346
	435	+	(b) (1) No assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of 347
	436	+	subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed pursuant to a certificate of 348
	437	+	possession issued under this section may be sold or transferred on or 349
	438	+	after January 1, 1994, to any person within this state other than to a 350
	439	+	licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of section 53-202f, or as 351
	440	+	provided in section 53-202e, or as provided in subsection (g) of section 352
	441	+	53-202f, as amended by this act, or by bequest or intestate succession, or, 353
	442	+	upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a trust, or (B) from a trust 354
	443	+	to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the assault weapon. 355
	444	+	(2) No assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs 356
	445	+	(B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed 357
	446	+	pursuant to a certificate of possession issued under this section may be 358
	447	+	sold or transferred on or after April 5, 2013, to any person within this 359
	448	+	state other than to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of 360
	449	+	section 53-202f, or as provided in section 53-202e, or as provided in 361
	450	+	subsection (g) of section 53-202f, as amended by this act, or by bequest 362
	451	+	or intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To 363
	452	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	453	+
	454	+
	455	+
	456	+	LCO No. 5895 13 of 16
	457	+
	458	+	a trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the 364
	459	+	assault weapon. 365
	460	+	(3) No 2023 assault weapon possessed pursuant to a certificate of 366
	461	+	possession issued under this section may be sold or transferred on or 367
	462	+	after June 6, 2023, to any person within this state other than to a licensed 368
	463	+	gun dealer, or as provided in section 53-202e, or as provided in 369
	464	+	subsection (g) of section 53-202f, as amended by this act, or by bequest 370
	465	+	or intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To 371
	466	+	a trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the 372
	467	+	assault weapon. 373
	468	+	(c) Any person who obtains title to an assault weapon for which a 374
	469	+	certificate of possession has been issued under this section by (1) 375
	470	+	transfer pursuant to subsection (g) of section 53-202f, as amended by 376
	471	+	this act, or (2) bequest or intestate succession shall, within ninety days 377
	472	+	of obtaining title, apply to the Department of Emergency Services and 378
	473	+	Public Protection for a certificate of possession as provided in subsection 379
	474	+	(a) of this section, render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, 380
	475	+	sell the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault 381
	476	+	weapon from the state. 382
	477	+	(d) Any person who moves into the state in lawful possession of an 383
	478	+	assault weapon, shall, within ninety days, either render the assault 384
	479	+	weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault weapon to a licensed 385
	480	+	gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from this state, except that any 386
	481	+	person who is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of 387
	482	+	the United States, is in lawful possession of an assault weapon and has 388
	483	+	been transferred into the state after October 1, 1994, may, within ninety 389
	484	+	days of arriving in the state, apply to the Department of Emergency 390
	485	+	Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect 391
	486	+	to such assault weapon. 392
	487	+	(e) If an owner of an assault weapon sells or transfers the assault 393
	488	+	weapon to a licensed gun dealer, such dealer shall, at the time of 394
	489	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	490	+
	491	+
	492	+
	493	+	LCO No. 5895 14 of 16
	494	+
	495	+	delivery of the assault weapon, execute a certificate of transfer and cause 395
	496	+	the certificate of transfer to be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner 396
	497	+	of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The certificate of transfer 397
	498	+	shall contain: (1) The date of sale or transfer; (2) the name and address 398
	499	+	of the seller or transferor and the licensed gun dealer, their Social 399
	500	+	Security numbers or motor vehicle operator license numbers, if 400
	501	+	applicable; (3) the licensed gun dealer's federal firearms license number 401
	502	+	and seller's permit number; (4) a description of the assault weapon, 402
	503	+	including the caliber of the assault weapon and its make, model and 403
	504	+	serial number; and (5) any other information the commissioner 404
	505	+	prescribes. The licensed gun dealer shall present such dealer's motor 405
	506	+	vehicle operator's license or Social Security card, federal firearms license 406
	507	+	and seller's permit to the seller or transferor for inspection at the time of 407
	508	+	purchase or transfer. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and 408
	509	+	Public Protection shall maintain a file of all certificates of transfer at the 409
	510	+	commissioner's central office. 410
	511	+	(f) Any person who has been issued a certificate of possession for an 411
	512	+	assault weapon under this section may possess the assault weapon only 412
	513	+	under the following conditions: 413
	514	+	(1) At that person's residence, place of business or other property 414
	515	+	owned by that person, or on property owned by another person with 415
	516	+	the owner's express permission; 416
	517	+	(2) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club 417
	518	+	or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at 418
	519	+	targets; 419
	520	+	(3) While on a target range which holds a regulatory or business 420
	521	+	license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range; 421
	522	+	(4) While on the premises of a licensed shooting club; 422
	523	+	(5) While attending any exhibition, display or educational project 423
	524	+	which is about firearms and which is sponsored by, conducted under 424
	525	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	526	+
	527	+
	528	+
	529	+	LCO No. 5895 15 of 16
	530	+
	531	+	the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a 425
	532	+	nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or 426
	533	+	promotes education about, firearms; 427
	534	+	(6) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places 428
	535	+	set forth in this subsection, or to any licensed gun dealer, as defined in 429
	536	+	subsection (f) of section 53-202f, for servicing or repair pursuant to 430
	537	+	subsection (c) of section 53-202f, or for purposes of a transfer pursuant 431
	538	+	to subsection (g) of section 53-202f, as amended by this act, provided the 432
	539	+	assault weapon is transported as required by section 53-202f, as 433
	540	+	amended by this act; 434
	541	+	(7) With respect to a nonresident of this state, while transporting a 435
	542	+	semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault weapon in any 436
	543	+	provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 437
	544	+	section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 438
	545	+	Public Protection designates as being designed expressly for use in 439
	546	+	target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the 440
	547	+	International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted 441
	548	+	under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202b, into or 442
	549	+	through this state in order to attend any exhibition, display or 443
	550	+	educational project described in subdivision (5) of this subsection, or to 444
	551	+	participate in a collegiate, Olympic or target pistol shooting competition 445
	552	+	in this state which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or 446
	553	+	approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state 447
	554	+	recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education 448
	555	+	about, firearms, provided (A) such pistol is transported into or through 449
	556	+	this state not more than forty-eight hours prior to or after such 450
	557	+	exhibition, display, project or competition, (B) such pistol is unloaded 451
	558	+	and carried in a locked carrying case and the ammunition for such pistol 452
	559	+	is carried in a separate locked container, (C) such nonresident has not 453
	560	+	been convicted of a felony in this state or of an offense in another state 454
	561	+	that would constitute a felony if committed in this state, and (D) such 455
	562	+	nonresident has in his or her possession a pistol permit or firearms 456
	563	+	registration card if such permit or card is required for possession of such 457
	564	+	Raised Bill No. 7194
	565	+
	566	+
	567	+
	568	+	LCO No. 5895 16 of 16
	569	+
	570	+	pistol under the laws of his or her state of residence. 458
	571	+	Sec. 5. Section 53-202f of the general statutes is amended by adding 459
	572	+	subsection (g) as follows (Effective July 1, 2025): 460
	573	+	(NEW) (g) (1) Any licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of 461
	574	+	this section, may take possession of any assault weapon from any 462
	575	+	person to whom has been issued a certificate of possession for such 463
	576	+	weapon pursuant to sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, for purposes 464
	577	+	of transferring such assault weapon to another person pursuant to 465
	578	+	subdivision (2) of this subsection. 466
	579	+	(2) Any licensed gun dealer may transfer possession of any assault 467
	580	+	weapon received pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to a 468
	581	+	person who lawfully possesses another assault weapon and to whom 469
	582	+	has previously been issued a certificate of possession for such weapon 470
	583	+	pursuant to sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive. 471
91	584		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
92	585		sections:
93	586
94	587		Section 1 October 1, 2025 53-203
95	588		Sec. 2 October 1, 2025 26-66
	589	+	Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 53-202w
	590	+	Sec. 4 July 1, 2025 53-202d
	591	+	Sec. 5 July 1, 2025 53-202f(g)
96	592
97		-	JUD Joint Favorable Subst.
	593	+	Statement of Purpose:
	594	+	To (1) clarify provisions concerning the discharge of firearms in the case
	595	+	of self-defense or in lawful defense of another person, including for
	596	+	purposes of regulations concerning hunting, and (2) allow the legal
	597	+	transfer of large capacity magazines possessed under a declaration of
	598	+	possession and assault weapons possessed under a certificate of
	599	+	possession between persons who are legally permitted to possess such
	600	+	magazine or weapon.
	601	+
	602	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	603	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	604	+	underlined.]
98	605