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.
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) Any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as
defined in 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 he or she is or was on official
duty outside of this state, shall apply within ninety days of returning to the state to the
Department of Public Safety, for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault
weapon. The certificate 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. The department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 54 not later than January 1, 1994, 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 (1) law enforcement agencies, and (2) the
Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to carry out the provisions of
subsection (c) of section 17a-500.
(b) No assault weapon possessed pursuant to 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 (d) of section 53-202f, or as provided in section 53-202e, or by bequest or intestate succession. 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 Public Safety for a certificate of possession as provided in subsection
(a) of this section, render the weapon permanently inoperable, sell the weapon to a
licensed gun dealer or remove the weapon from the state. Any person who moves into
the state in lawful possession of an assault weapon, shall, within ninety days, either
render the weapon permanently inoperable, sell the weapon to a licensed gun dealer or
remove the weapon from this state, except 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 Public Safety for a certificate
of possession with respect to such assault weapon.
(c) If an owner of an assault weapon sells or transfers the weapon to a licensed gun
dealer, he shall, at the time of delivery of the weapon, execute a certificate of transfer
and cause the certificate to be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
The certificate 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
weapon, including the caliber of the weapon and its make, model and serial number;
and (5) any other information the commissioner prescribes. The licensed gun dealer
shall present his 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 Public Safety shall maintain a file of all certificates
of transfer at his central office.
(d) A person who has been issued a certificate of possession of an assault weapon
under this section may possess it 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 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; or
(6) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places mentioned in
this subsection, or to any licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (d) 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.
(P.A. 93-306, S. 4; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 19, 20; P.A. 98-129, S. 8.)
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).
Cited. 234 C. 455. Cited. 242 C. 143.