Permit guides › Connecticut
Connecticut concealed carry permit guide
Permit required Last verified November 1, 2026
Not legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Carry laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every requirement with the issuing agency before you apply or carry.
Permitless (constitutional) carry
No. A state pistol permit is required to carry a handgun.
Permit types
- Temporary (local) pistol permit
- State pistol permit
Issuing agency and how to apply
Local police / first selectman, then DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit
Apply for a temporary permit with your local police department or first selectman, then for the state permit with DESPP.
Eligibility and minimum age
- Minimum age
- 21
- Eligibility
- Check with Local police / first selectman, then DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit
Fees
- Resident (new)
- $70 (temporary/local) plus $70 (state permit)
- Non-resident (new)
- $70
- Renewal
- Check with Local police / first selectman, then DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit
Training requirements
An approved handgun safety course.
Processing time, validity and renewal
- Processing time
- About 8 weeks for the temporary permit
- Valid for
- State permit: 5 years (temporary permit: 60 days)
Non-resident permits
Available to non-residents. U.S. residents with a valid out-of-state carry permit may apply directly to DESPP's Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.
Reciprocity
Connecticut does not recognize other states' permits.
Sources
- portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-state-police/special-licensing-and-firearms/faq---pistol-p
- portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-state-police/special-licensing-and-firearms/state-pistol-p
- www.cga.ct.gov/2025/ACT/PA/PDF/2025PA-00018-R00HB-07056-PA.PDF
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.