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.

(a)(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, prior to October 1, 1993, shall apply by October 1, 1994, or, if such person is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States and is unable to apply by October 1, 1994, because such member is or was on official duty outside of this state, shall apply within ninety days of returning to the state to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon.

(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c shall be required to obtain a certificate of possession pursuant to this subdivision with respect to an assault weapon used for official duties, except that any person described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c who purchases an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, for use in the discharge of official duties who retires or is otherwise separated from service shall apply within ninety days of such retirement or separation from service to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon.

(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, on April 4, 2013, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, in effect on January 1, 2013, or any person who regains possession of an assault weapon as defined in any provision of said subparagraphs pursuant to subsection (e) of section 53-202f, or any person who lawfully purchases a firearm on or after April 4, 2013, but prior to June 18, 2013, that meets the criteria set forth in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, shall apply by January 1, 2014, or, if such person is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States and is unable to apply by January 1, 2014, because such member is or was on official duty outside of this state, shall apply within ninety days of returning to the state to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. Any person who lawfully purchases a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection designates as being designed expressly for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202b shall apply within ninety days of such purchase to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon.

(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c shall be required to obtain a certificate of possession pursuant to this subdivision with respect to an assault weapon used for official duties, except that any person described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c who purchases an assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a for use in the discharge of official duties who retires or is otherwise separated from service shall apply within ninety days of such retirement or separation from service to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon.

(3) Any person who obtained a certificate of possession for an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, prior to April 5, 2013, that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a shall be deemed to have obtained a certificate of possession for such assault weapon for the purposes of sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and shall not be required to obtain a subsequent certificate of possession for such assault weapon.

(4) The certificate of possession shall contain a description of the firearm that identifies it uniquely, including all identification marks, the full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint of the owner, and any other information as the department may deem appropriate.

(5) The department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish procedures with respect to the application for and issuance of certificates of possession pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-210 and 1-211, the name and address of a person issued a certificate of possession shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except such records may be disclosed to (A) law enforcement agencies and employees of the United States Probation Office acting in the performance of their duties and parole officers within the Department of Correction acting in the performance of their duties, and (B) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to carry out the provisions of subsection (c) of section 17a-500.

(b) (1) No assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed pursuant to a certificate of possession issued under this section may be sold or transferred on or after January 1, 1994, to any person within this state other than to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of section 53-202f, or as provided in section 53-202e, or by bequest or intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the assault weapon.

(2) No assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed pursuant to a certificate of possession issued under this section may be sold or transferred on or after April 5, 2013, to any person within this state other than to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of section 53-202f, or as provided in section 53-202e, or by bequest or intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the assault weapon.

(c) Any person who obtains title to an assault weapon for which a certificate of possession has been issued under this section by bequest or intestate succession shall, within ninety days of obtaining title, apply to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession as provided in subsection (a) of this section, render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from the state.

(d) Any person who moves into the state in lawful possession of an assault weapon, shall, within ninety days, either render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from this state, except that any person who is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, is in lawful possession of an assault weapon and has been transferred into the state after October 1, 1994, may, within ninety days of arriving in the state, apply to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon.

(e) If an owner of an assault weapon sells or transfers the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer, such dealer shall, at the time of delivery of the assault weapon, execute a certificate of transfer and cause the certificate of transfer to be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The certificate of transfer shall contain: (1) The date of sale or transfer; (2) the name and address of the seller or transferor and the licensed gun dealer, their Social Security numbers or motor vehicle operator license numbers, if applicable; (3) the licensed gun dealer's federal firearms license number and seller's permit number; (4) a description of the assault weapon, including the caliber of the assault weapon and its make, model and serial number; and (5) any other information the commissioner prescribes. The licensed gun dealer shall present such dealer's motor vehicle operator's license or Social Security card, federal firearms license and seller's permit to the seller or transferor for inspection at the time of purchase or transfer. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall maintain a file of all certificates of transfer at the commissioner's central office.

(f) Any person who has been issued a certificate of possession for an assault weapon under this section may possess the assault weapon only under the following conditions:

(1) At that person's residence, place of business or other property owned by that person, or on property owned by another person with the owner's express permission;

(2) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets;

(3) While on a target range which holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range;

(4) While on the premises of a licensed shooting club;

(5) While attending any exhibition, display or educational project which is about firearms and which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms;

(6) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places set forth in this subsection, or to any licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of section 53-202f, for servicing or repair pursuant to subsection (c) of section 53-202f, provided the assault weapon is transported as required by section 53-202f;

(7) With respect to a nonresident of this state, while transporting a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection designates as being designed expressly for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202b, into or through this state in order to attend any exhibition, display or educational project described in subdivision (5) of this subsection, or to participate in a collegiate, Olympic or target pistol shooting competition in this state which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms, provided (A) such pistol is transported into or through this state not more than forty-eight hours prior to or after such exhibition, display, project or competition, (B) such pistol is unloaded and carried in a locked carrying case and the ammunition for such pistol is carried in a separate locked container, (C) such nonresident has not been convicted of a felony in this state or of an offense in another state that would constitute a felony if committed in this state, and (D) such nonresident has in his or her possession a pistol permit or firearms registration card if such permit or card is required for possession of such pistol under the laws of his or her state of residence.

(P.A. 93-306, S. 4; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 19, 20; P.A. 98-129, S. 8; P.A. 11-51, S. 170; P.A. 12-177, S. 3; P.A. 13-3, S. 28; 13-220, S. 7, 8; P.A. 15-216, S. 5.)

History: July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 amended Subsec. (a) to extend from July 1, 1994, to October 1, 1994, the deadline for applying for a certificate of possession and add provision requiring any member of the military or naval forces who is unable to apply by said date due to official duty outside of the state to apply within 90 days of returning to the state and amended Subsec. (b) to add exception authorizing any member of the military or naval forces in lawful possession of an assault weapon who is transferred into the state after October 1, 1994 to apply for a certificate of possession within 90 days of arriving in the state, effective July 7, 1994; P.A. 98-129 added Subsec. (a)(2) authorizing disclosure of such records to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to carry out the provisions of Sec. 17a-500(c); P.A. 11-51 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Safety with Commissioner and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-177 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add provision re disclosure of information to employees of the U.S. Probation Office acting in performance of their duties; P.A. 13-3 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provisions as Subdivs. (1), (4) and (5), add reference to Sec. 53-202a(1)(A) definition in Subdiv. (1), add Subdiv. (2) re assault weapon defined in Sec. 53-202a(1)(B) to (F) lawfully possessed under Secs. 53-202a to 53-202k in effect on January 1, 2013, and add Subdiv. (3) re person who obtained certificate of possession prior to April 4, 2013, to be deemed to have obtained certificate for weapon and not to be required to obtain subsequent certificate, amended Subsec. (b) to designate existing provisions re sale or transfer as Subdiv. (1), add reference to definition in Sec. 53-202a(1)(A) therein, add Subdiv. (2) re sale of assault weapon defined in Sec. 53-202a(1)(B) to (F) possessed pursuant to a certificate of possession, and designate existing provisions re obtaining title by bequest or intestate succession as new Subsec. (c) and re person moving into state as new Subsec. (d), redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (e) and (f), and made technical and conforming changes, effective April 4, 2013; P.A. 13-220 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subpara. (B) re exception from certificate of possession requirement for persons listed in Sec. 53-202c(b)(1), (2) or (4), except upon retirement or separation from service re assault weapon purchased for official use, in Subdivs. (1) and (2), and to add provisions re person who regains possession of an assault weapon or who purchases a firearm on or after April 4, 2013, but prior to June 18, 2013, and re certificates of possession for Olympic pistols in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions re transfer upon death of testator or settlor, amended Subsec. (f) to add Subdiv. (7) re transport by nonresident of semiautomatic pistol designated in regulations adopted under Sec. 53-202b(b)(4) as Olympic pistols, and made technical and conforming changes, effective June 18, 2013; P.A. 15-216 amended Subsec. (a)(5)(A) by adding reference to parole officers.

Notation

Cited. 234 C. 455; 242 C. 143.