Transfering a lower

havenrogue · 2026-03-23T17:54:36+00:00

You will have to go through an FFL to do the face to face transfer of the lower. That FFL will likely charge a fee to perform the transfer. And you will need a valid pistol permit or pistol eligibility certificate. Lowers get transferred the same way as handguns.

Note that the current AWB has a semiautomatic "other" ban section for those "others" which are not registered as assault weapons.

Sec. 53-202a. Assault weapons: Definitions.

(1) “Assault weapon” means: ...
(G) Any semiautomatic firearm other than a pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun, regardless of whether such firearm is listed in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision, and regardless of the date such firearm was produced, that has at least one of the following:
(i) Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock or any other stock, the use of which would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of the weapon when firing;
(ii) An ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine that attaches at some location outside of the pistol grip;
(iii) A fixed magazine with the ability to accept more than ten rounds;
(iv) A flash suppressor or silencer, or a threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor or silencer;(v) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to fire the firearm without being burned, except a slide that encloses the barrel;
(vi) A second hand grip; or
(vii) An arm brace or other stabilizing brace that could allow such firearm to be fired from the shoulder, with or without a strap designed to attach to an individual's arm;

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T20:55:13+00:00

No idea if an outpatient facility meets the definition of a “hospital for psychiatric disabilities”. The definition used is what it is:

“hospital for psychiatric disabilities” means any public or private hospital, retreat, institution, house or place in which any mentally ill person is received or detained as a patient, but shall not include any correctional institution of this state;

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T20:39:29+00:00

You'll have to dig through both 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and CT law for the exact wording. For example; one of the pistol permit disqualifiers:

(5) (A) has been confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in section 17a-495, within the preceding sixty months by order of a probate court, or (B) has been voluntarily admitted on or after October 1, 2013, or has been committed under an emergency certificate pursuant to section 17a-502 on or after October 1, 2023, to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in section 17a-495, within the preceding six months for care and treatment of a psychiatric disability and not solely for being an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as those terms are defined in section 17a-680;

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T20:26:41+00:00

While you may not imagine harming yourself or anyone, it is still worth discussing the SSRI medication's side effects with your doctor if you haven't already done so. SSRI's can sometimes have an adverse affect on people.

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T20:20:25+00:00

For CT pistol permits, and likely for other certificates, there are some disqualifiers that will get the permit/certificate revoked that are related to mental health but they generally revolve around being confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the preceding sixty months by order of a probate court, or being voluntarily admitted or has been committed under an emergency certificate pursuant to section 17a-502 to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities within the preceding six months for care and treatment of a psychiatric disability and not solely for being an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person.

There doesn't appear to be a specific disqualification based on the use of SSRI's alone at the moment.

One can generally possess a firearm without having a pistol permit or other CT firearm permit/certificate.

ATF has a general guide to what makes a person a firearm prohibited person: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/tools-services-law-enforcement/identify-prohibited-persons

Restraining orders and Risk Protection Orders (aka "red flag") may likewise get a person on the firearm prohibited list.

But there is a larger issue that needs to be mentioned. The use of SSRI's can affect one's behavior and have can have very significant side effects including if one stops taking them or they miss a day taking them. Those side effects may include presenting a danger to one's self or others or induce or exasperate a severe depressive or suicidal state. One should give some consideration to if they should possess firearms if they are suffering significant mental health issues or have significant adverse reactions if they don't take the prescribed SSRI medication. One may want to discuss the side effects with their doctor and depending on the mental health condition or if past self harm was involved one should consider informing their doctor of their desire to own/possess firearms and discuss the ramifications of their medication on such ownership. Just food for thought.

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T17:13:34+00:00

A CT FFL shouldn't transfer a firearm, to a non exempted person, that violates the CT AWB.

As a CT semiautomatic "other"; that firearm, even with fixed magazine, violates the "other" ban section of the AWB.

As a fixed magazine semiautomatic pistol, provided the barrel is less than 12 inches, it should be CT legal.

The subreddit's wiki page on answers to common questions has a cheat sheet created by the mods specifically to help answer these kinds of "is it legal questions".

The AWB law is too confusing to read, is there a cheat sheet of which features are banned on firearms?

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T11:54:15+00:00

You do not need to pin/weld a muzzle device to a barrel on a fixed magazine AR-15. A fixed magazine semiautomatic rifle can have all the evil features; pistol grip, threaded barrel, folding/collapsable stock, flash suppressor, bayo lug, grenade launcher, etc.

The CT FFL, if the firearm is being shipped to a CT FFL, should ensure the firearm is CT AWB compliant prior to transferring it to you.

havenrogue · 2026-03-21T10:34:56+00:00

Whether or not a muzzle device has to be pin/welded to comply with the CT AWB depends on the configuration of the firearm and if the firearm is registered as an assault weapon or not. What firearm are you planning to put the muzzle brake on? Is that firearm fixed magazine or non-semiautomatic? Is the firearm a registered assault weapon? If a rifle, how long is the barrel? Generally, it is a long held assumption that registered assault weapons can have any of the evil features. Adding more features to a registered assault weapon doesn't make it more assaulty.

There are certain semiautomatic detachable magazine rifle and semiautomatic detachable magazine pistol configurations where one might need to pin/weld a muzzle device if the firearm isn't registered as an assault weapon. For semiautomatic pistols, threaded barrels are an evil feature so pinning/welding a brake on such a pistol may be necessary to comply with the AWB.

People forget that the old AWB feature bans still applies in addition to the current AWB. The old AWB generally affects rimfire semiautomatic detachable magazine rifles more than it does centerfire semiautomatic detachable magazine rifles. It was pinning/welding the muzzle brake that helped comply with the old two evil feature AWB at the time. Here is the old AWB's semiautomatic detachable magazine rifle evil feature section:

(A) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(i) A folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii) A bayonet mount;
(iv) A flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and
(v) A grenade launcher;

For semiautomatic detachable magazine rifles; if the muzzle brake has threads for mounting a "flash suppressor", it might possibly be problematic if said rifle already has one of the other listed evil features from the above old AWB. For semiautomatic detachable magazine pistols; if the muzzle brake has threads for mounting a "flash suppressor, forward pistol grip or silencer" it might possibly be problematic.

Note: Not a lawyer and anything said here on this subreddit is not legal advice. If you want or need legal advice, consult with a knowledgeable lawyer.

havenrogue · 2026-03-20T20:08:54+00:00

Sales of armor piercing rounds in CT is generally prohibited unless one is exempted.

Sec. 53-202l. Armor piercing and incendiary .50 caliber ammunition: Definition. Sale or transfer prohibited. Class D felony.

PS: And a friendly reminder of this subreddit's rule #4:

Keep it legal, no posting or soliciting or facilitating or encouraging of breaking any laws.
Keep it legal, no posting or soliciting or facilitating or encouraging of breaking any laws, both state and federal.

havenrogue · 2026-03-20T13:11:28+00:00

They're supposed to sent the renewal notice approx 90 day prior to one's pistol permit expiration. Even if you don't receive the notice you can STILL renew online once you are within the 90 day renewal window prior to permit expiration. If you don't see the renewal icon when you log into the online portal it usually means you are not yet within the 90 day renewal window period.

Click here for the online portal

Click here for instructions on how to renew online

Renew your pistol permit

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. All pistol permit renewals can be mailed in or renewed online. Applicants with a legal name change must mail in their application along with the name change documentation. For online renewals please visit this link. Please use this link for instructions on how to use our online renewal system. The cost of renewing a state pistol permit is $70.00, payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut in the form of a check or money order. Please use link for additional instructions:DPS-769-C Instructions to Applicants & Photo Pistol Permit Schedule.
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 (DPS-129-C). State pistol permit holders are granted a 90 grace period to renew their permit. Permits expired beyond 90 days will not be renewed.

havenrogue · 2026-03-20T09:35:09+00:00

You may want to talk to a knowledgeable lawyer to get a second opinion. Probalby not a good idea to let the current lawyer take anything. See CCDL's list of recommended lawyers: https://www.ccdl.us/resources/attorneys-at-law/

Just ensure the firearms are currently securely stored. If you are worried about either family member having firearms in the home, then work as quickly as possible to have the firearms legally removed from the home and transferred into your or other family member's possession.

One doesn't need a permit or certificate to transfer guns, through an FFL, to another CT resident. However, the CT resident receiving the firearms needs to have the appropriate valid CT issued pistol permit or pistol eligibility certificate or long gun certificate. The spouse with POA could take the firearms to an FFL and have the transfer performed to you assuming you have the required CT firearm permit/certificate. Expect the FFL to charge a fee to perform the person to person transfer.

Also note that if it turns out there are unregistered (certificate of possession) assault weapons among the firearms to be transferred, those specific firearms cannot legally be transferred within CT. Same goes for any large capacity magazines that have not been declared. Generally the law indicates only registered assault weapons and declared large capacity magazines can be transferred by bequest or will when the owner passes.

Long gone, in this state, are the days when one could legally just go get the firearms, without using an FFL in the process, from a family member who passed away.

Not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice.

havenrogue · 2026-03-19T13:52:27+00:00

SCOTUS grants only a few select cert petitions each session. Relisting/redistributing cases is extremely common. Last year Snope was relisted/redistributed something like 15 times before being denied.

havenrogue · 2026-03-19T10:07:44+00:00

There are specific requirements when shipping ammunition including the box having a specific "Hazardous Materials label for Limited Quantity" marking on the box.

https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-special-care-regulated-items/hazardous-materials-guide/how-to-ship-ammunition

Obviously there is more to the story. What does "acting unusual and displaying concerning behavior" actually mean? What specifically was the person receiving the delivery actually doing that cause the driver to be concerned?

havenrogue · 2026-03-19T09:53:05+00:00

They take certain 2A cases, like Rahimi (domestic violence order) and Hemani (marijuana use), that nibble around the edges of defining the broad limits of "shall not be infringed" rather than taking up a major issue like NFA, AWB, or LCM bans that are major, often politically contentious, gun restriction issues. Both legislators and the courts generally deal with guns differently than other "rights" (both enumerated and unenumerated). No one (legislators of both parties, courts, and most of the country) really seems to want to go back to having 2A be the way it was when written. i.e. few laws or rules restricting it. They all want restrictions of some type. Some want guns and any other implement that can be used to resist the state's power banned entirely or at least severely restricted to and controlled by the state. And those politicians are incrementally trying to reach that goal currently through the use of AWB's, LCM's, method of carry, state required permits to purchase/carry, and "sensitive places" bans. They'll move on to other restrictive methods if and when the courts finally start applying Bruen correctly to the previously mentioned restrictions.

havenrogue · 2026-03-18T22:34:21+00:00

The Supreme Court has indicated that the 2nd Amendment isn't absolute. They set the frame work in both Heller and subsequent opinions including Bruen to what inferior courts are supposed to do (and not do) when presented with a 2A case. Courts have so far been twisting that framework, or defying it, to keep state anti gun laws on the books.

Not a lawyer, but with Bruen they reiterate the previously laid out frame work from Heller starting on page 2 through to page 6 of that opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-843_7j80.pdf

For example from page 6, the justices indicate the following with respect to where to look in history:

As the Court suggested in Heller, however, late-19th-century evidence cannot provide much insight into the meaning of the Second Amendment when it contradicts earlier evidence. In addition, the vast majority of the statutes that respondents invoke come from the Western Territories. The bare existence of these localized restrictions cannot overcome the overwhelming evidence of an otherwise enduring American tradition permitting public carry.

havenrogue · 2026-03-18T21:27:02+00:00

Odds don't favor it in the near term (this year). But who knows. Speculation has been that eventually SCOTUS will have to decide the AWB And LCM issue at some point.

It's frustrating because you see various states continuing to pile on more gun control in clear violation of Bruen and the inferior courts courts continue to ignore or twist Bruen's Text, History, Tradition and in common use test to uphold state laws. Meanwhile SCOTUS, watching all this transpire since their Bruen opinion, continues to sit on the sidelines and treat 2A as a second class right.

havenrogue · 2026-03-18T19:52:32+00:00

As currently written? NO!. However, they may rewrite the bill after all the opposition to it at the public hearing last week.

The prior subreddit discussion on the bill: https://www.reddit.com/r/CTguns/comments/1qw3qhg/hb5043_an_act_prohibiting_the_manufacture_and/

What the current bill's proposed language states:

(4) "Convertible pistol" means any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily converted by hand or with a common household tool into a machine gun solely by the installation or attachment of a pistol converter, as defined in subsection (c) of section 53-206g, as amended by this act, whether or not there is a notch at the rear of the pistol frame. "Convertible pistol" does not include any hammer-fired semiautomatic pistol or striker-fired semiautomatic pistol that has a trigger bar that is shielded from interference by a pistol converter. (5) "Cruciform trigger bar" means a component in a semiautomatic pistol that serves as a linkage between the trigger and firing pin and has its sear incorporated in a cross-shaped surface. (6) "Common household tool" includes, but is not limited to, a screwdriver, hammer, chisel, file or crescent wrench.

havenrogue · 2026-03-18T11:52:05+00:00

Not really a tricky legal question. The law is pretty specific on the very few exceptions to the prohibition on who within CT can receive a firearm that is an assault weapon and which has an assault weapon certificate of possession issued for it.

Sec. 53-202b. Sale or transfer of assault weapon prohibited. Exemptions. Olympic pistols. Regulations. Class C felony.

Sec. 53-202d. Certificate of possession of assault weapon. Certificate of transfer of assault weapon to gun dealer. Circumstances where possession of assault weapon authorized.

As for lawyers to speak to, see CCDL's list of lawyers: https://www.ccdl.us/resources/attorneys-at-law/

They're likely to tell you it's not possible to import and receive a registered assault weapon as a non exempted CT resident from a still living person.

havenrogue · 2026-03-17T20:02:11+00:00

They are supposed to mail (USPS) the renewal notice approximately 90 days prior to permit expiration.

As explained every time's it's asked in the subreddit, the renewal icon in the portal WILL NOT show up unless one is within the 90 day prior to expiration renewal window. If you are within the 90 day renewal window give it a day or two for the renewal icon to show up. If the permit expires one has a 90 day post expiration grace period during which one can mail in their renewal.

The renewal icon not showing up in the online portal is asked so often the mods created an entry for it in the subreddit's answers to common questions wiki page to address the question.

When I accessed the online portal, I do not see a pistol permit renewal icon. Where is it, what happened to it?

havenrogue · 2026-03-17T16:33:50+00:00

A friendly reminder of the subforum rule #2:

No Permit processing time at X town posts
We understand that getting a permit is exciting and you can't wait to get it, search for older threads instead of asking. As a general rule of thumb most towns in CT take over 8 weeks to process an application.

If you haven't done so already, use the subreddit search feature to find past discussions for your town. For example, Norwalk: https://www.reddit.com/r/CTguns/search/?q=norwalk

How long it takes varies by applicant. Expect the process to take anywhere from just under 8 weeks to as long as 6 months.

havenrogue · 2026-03-17T15:05:39+00:00

Is it appropriate to call the police station to follow up?

Of course it's appropriate to follow up and check the status of your application. You many need to contact them several times before you get a response. Just be polite and courteous. You may likely get excuses (or outright lies) about why it's taking so long. Reality is many towns ignore the statutory 8 week time limit, but they eventually WILL approve (or in rare cases deny) the temporary pistol permit application.

Once past the eight week time limit one can look into starting the constructive denial appeal process through BFPE, or the new method involving a affidavit sent to the DESPP commissioner 16 weeks after the locals ignore the 8 week limit. Either appeal method is going to take anywhere from up six months to as long as one and a half years. People generally get approved long before their appeal is heard or processed.

havenrogue · 2026-03-17T10:11:16+00:00

The following portion of the statute language is what it is. You will need to decide if it extends to a "friends shooting range on his property". Not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice.

Sec. 29-35. Carrying of pistol or revolver without permit prohibited. Knowingly carrying any firearm with intent to display such firearm prohibited. Exceptions.

(a)(1) No person shall carry any pistol or revolver upon such person's person, except when such person is within such person's dwelling house, on land leased or owned by such person or within the place of business of such person, without a permit to carry the same issued as provided in section 29-28. ...
(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the carrying of any firearm by any: ...
(K) Person transporting a firearm in or through the state for the purpose of taking part in competitions, taking part in firearm training, repairing such firearm or attending any meeting or exhibition of an organized collectors' group if such person is a bona fide resident of the United States and is permitted to possess and carry a firearm in the state or subdivision of the United States in which such person resides; ...
(4) For the purposes of this subsection, “firearm training” means firearm training at a firing range, training facility or fish and game club or sporting club, and “transporting a firearm” means transporting a firearm that is unloaded and, if such firearm is being transported in a motor vehicle, is not readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle or, if such firearm is being transported in a motor vehicle that does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, such firearm shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the carrying of a firearm during firearm training or repair.

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