June 8, 2010
Re: Request for Answer
Dear Mr. Redacted:
Thank you for your recent question asking: "can a Connecticut citizen transport a firearm to a State
licensed firing range for target practice in a locked container separate from the passanger [sic] dept.
[sic]" With that question you attached a copy of the "statute and position". We note that you identified
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35 (Carrying of pistol or revolver without permit prohibited. Exceptions.) which
reads in pertinent part:
a person shall carry any pistol or revolver upon his or her person, except when such
person is within the dwelling house or place of business of such person, without a permit
to carry the some issued as provided in section 29-28. The provisions of this subsection
shall not apply to ... any person transporting a pistol or revolver in or through the state
for the purpose of... taking part in formal pistol or revolver training ... if such person is a
bona fide resident of the United States and is permitted to possess and carry a pistol or
revolver in the state or subdivision of the United States in which such person resides ...
For the purposes of this subsection, "formal pistol or revolver training" means pistol or
revolver training at a locally approved or permitted firing range or training facility, and
"transporting a pistol or revolver" means transporting a pistol or revolver that is
unloaded and, if such pistol or revolver is being transported in a motor vehicle, is not
readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
or, if such pistol or revolver is being transported in a motor vehicle that does not have a
compartment separate from the passenger comportment, such pistol or revolver shall be
contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
Please be aware that our office does not issue legal opinions to the public. This letter is not intended as a legal opinion, and nothing contained in this letter should be construed as such. Based on your question as well as our reading of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35, we generally agree that the exception to transporting a handgun without a Connecticut handgun permit appears to include, with noteworthy limitations, the transportation of a handgun for the purpose of "formal Pistol or Revolver training".
However, the statute does place significant limitations on many aspects of the transportation. For example, it limits the destination to which the handgun may be transported (i.e. a locally approved or permitted firing range or training facility), the manner in which may be transported [e.g. unloaded, not readily accessible, etc.), and by whom the handgun may be transported (e.g. a bona fide resident of the United States). We also note that the statute does not specifically define what constitutes "training".
While you provided many examples as to what you considered to be training (e.g. "fire rounds at set
distances", "site picture", "site alignment", "breath control", etc.), the examples given in your letter, as
well as numerous others which immediately spring to mind, all are dependent on the entire facts and
circumstances or any situation as a whole. As such, we cannot give you an answer to any particular
hypothetical situation as to what may be statutorily considered "training" (formal or otherwise). We
therefore suggest you consult with an appropriate attorney to discuss particular hypothetical situations
with respect to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35.
RESPONSE OF
Tpr. Thomas Hatfield Esq.
Connecticut Department of Public Safety
Legal Affairs Unit
