Connecticut Airgun Laws and Hunting Regulations

Brief Overview Of Connecticut State Laws Concerning Air Guns

Carrying Restrictions

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying an air gun and also generally bans the possession of an carrying an air gun in a vehicle.

Purchasing Restrictions

Under Connecticut state law it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy an air gun, though parents are allowed to purchase one and give it to their children.

As part of purchasing a gun for a minor, a parent assumes responsibility of properly training the child to use the gun safely.

Additionally, minors firing an air gun are required to be under supervision of an adult while using it.

Transportation Restrictions

It is illegal to transport an air gun unless it is secured in a car trunk or in another similarly locked device. It is illegal to transport air guns on your person unless in a locked gun case. Improper transportation of air guns is regulated under the same statutes that govern firearm and other dangerous weapons, and violation of air gun transportation laws may result in a felony gun conviction or a fine of up to $500.

Connecticut State Air Gun Laws

Sec. 53-206. Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited. (a) Any person who carries upon his or her person any BB. gun, blackjack, metal or brass knuckles, or any dirk knife, or any switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which a blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches in length, or stiletto, or any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or more in length, any police baton or nightstick, or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years or both. Whenever any person is found guilty of a violation of this section, any weapon or other instrument within the provisions of this section, found upon the body of such person, shall be forfeited to the municipality wherein such person was apprehended, notwithstanding any failure of the judgment of conviction to expressly impose such forfeiture.

Sec. 53-206c. Sale, carrying and brandishing of facsimile firearms prohibited. Class B misdemeanor. (a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Facsimile of a firearm” means (A) any nonfunctional imitation of an original firearm which was manufactured, designed and produced since 1898, or (B) any nonfunctional representation of a firearm other than an imitation of an original firearm, provided such representation could reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm. Such term does not include any look-a-like, non-firing, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or traditional BB. or pellet-firing air gun that expels a metallic or paint-contained projectile through the force of air pressure.

(2) “Firearm” means firearm as defined in section 53a-3.
(b) No person shall give, offer for sale or sell any facsimile of a firearm. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any facsimile of a firearm, which, because of its distinct color, exaggerated size or other design feature, cannot reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm.
(c) Except in self defense, no person shall carry, draw, exhibit or brandish a facsimile of a firearm or simulate a firearm in a threatening manner, with intent to frighten, vex or harass another person.
(d) No person shall draw, exhibit or brandish a facsimile of a firearm or simulate a firearm in the presence of a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or paramedic engaged in the performance of his duties knowing or having reason to know that such peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or paramedic is engaged in the performance of his duties, with intent to impede such person in the performance of such duties.
(e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

1. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6).

2. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b)

LOOK-A-LIKE FIREARMS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012)

(a) As used in this section, “look-a-like firearm” means any imitation firearm, simulated firearm, replica of a firearm or other device which substantially duplicates or is so similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.

(b) No person shall alter, change, deface, remove, paint, emboss or in any other manner obliterate any coloration or markings that are required by any applicable state or federal law or regulation for any look-a-like firearm, in a manner that makes the look-a-like firearm look more like a firearm. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall have committed an infraction. This subsection shall not apply to the use of look-a-like firearms in theatrical productions including, but not limited to, motion pictures and television and stage productions.

(c) No person shall possess any look-a-like firearm, paintball gun, pellet-firing air gun or BB. gun in or on, or within one thousand five hundred feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three months or both.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any look-a-like firearm, paintball gun, pellet-firing air gun or BB. gun used by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, police departments, the Department of Correction or the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States in the discharge of their official duties.

Statement of Purpose:
To make it an infraction for any person to deface the markings on any look-a-like firearm and to ban the possession of look-a-like firearms, paintball guns, pellet-firing air guns, and BB. guns within one thousand five hundred feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school.

How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Connecticut?

In Connecticut you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun.

Connecticut Air Gun Hunting Regulations

Connecticut allows air gun hunting for certain species. These species include:
• Crow
• European Hare
• Grouse
• Jackrabbit
• Snowshoe Hare
• Gray Squirrel

Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions and Parks

Below are the laws and ordinances for local jurisdictions in the state of Connecticut pertaining to airguns, BB guns, pellet guns and airsoft guns:

ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 17-34. – Same—B-B guns—Persons under eighteen prohibited from firing.
No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall discharge or fire any rifle, pistol or other device which shall be designed or intended to fire or expel a B-B or other pellet by the use of compressed air or spring within the city.
(4-8-57, § 1; Ord. of 3-13-2001)

Town of AVON, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Chapter 36 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 36-1. – Discharge of firearms; violation and penalties.
(a) No minor under 16 years of age, shall discharge any firearm, air rifle or air pistol within the limits of the Town, unless such discharge shall be in the presence and under the supervision of the parent or legal guardian of such minor, or a qualified instructor on an authorized range.
(b) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of $100.00. Each day such violation continues is a separate offense.

Town of BLOOMFIELD, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No documented air gun ordinances).

BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE I. – IN GENERAL
Dangerous devices.
(1) Firearms, fireworks and projectile devices. No person shall possess illegal firearms, and no person, other than a police or security officer, shall carry openly any legal firearm. No person shall possess or discharge a firearm, firecracker, firework, bow, cross-bow, or traditional BB or pellet-firing air gun that expels a metallic or paint-contained projectile through the force of air pressure. This provision shall not apply to the display of fireworks under municipal authority, nor to activities authorized specifically by the board of park commissioners or confined within those areas specifically designated.

CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE II. – OPEN SPACE LANDS
(q) No person except duly qualified federal, state, or local law enforcement officials shall take into any open space land any firearm, air gun or gas weapon, sling shot, crossbow, bow and arrows or other articles of like character capable of maiming or destroying wildlife or destroying or defacing property, or any deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or electronic defense weapon, as those terms are defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-3, as amended, even if said person has a valid permit to carry such a weapon.

Coventry, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 70-77. – Use or possession of firearms or other weapons.
No person shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description, including BB guns, air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows, slingshots, any other weapons potentially harmful to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges or any fireworks of any description on any beach or park facility, excluding authorized personnel and special events approved by special permit.

DANBURY, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No documented air gun ordinances).

Darien, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 38-22. – Discharge of firearms prohibited; exemptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge in the town any air rifle, air pistol, cannon, gun (including BB gun), pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or other such weapon or firearm except as follows:
(1) By peace officers acting in the performance of their duties as such, or by members of the armed forces of the United States or of the state, or by authorized messengers or bank guards when acting in performance of their duties as such.
(2) For the protection of life or property.
(3) On rifle, revolver, pistol, trap and skeet ranges authorized in writing by the chief of police of the town.
(4) By a person legally authorized to hunt under the provisions of the General Statutes and the regulations issued thereunder, in such places and in such manner as is authorized under such statutes and regulations; provided, however, hunting is prohibited in or on any public beach, park, or other land owned or leased by the town.
(Code 1972, § 31-5; Ord. of 11-8-1965, § 1)

DURHAM, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE II. – ALLYN BROOK PARK
Sec. 11.5-26. – Rules of conduct.
(11)
Firearms. It shall be unlawful for any person to bring into or have in his possession:
b. Any pistol or revolver or objects in which loaded or blank cartridges may be used, except for official starters at authorized track and field events.
c. Any rifle, shotgun, air gun, spring gun, slingshot, bow or other weapon in which the propelling force is gunpowder, a spring or compressed air.

ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No air gun restrictions documented).

GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

DIVISION 1. – GENERALLY
Sec. 14-33. – Wildlife.
(c) Use of firearms and weapons. Except as provided in subsection (e) no person shall hunt, trap, or pursue wildlife at any time in a park or preserve and no person shall use, carry or possess firearms, air-rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings, or any kind of trapping device, or any other weapons potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, with the exception of authorized persons who may hunt and trap to remove sick, injured or dangerous animals and to reduce or eliminate nuisance species.

ARTICLE 2. – PARKS AND RECREATION PLACES.
Sec. 7-24. – Fish and wildlife.
(d) No person shall hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time, and no person shall use firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any kind of trapping device or any other weapons or explosives to frighten, injure or kill wildlife, except for the purpose of wildlife management as authorized by the Director, in consultation with the Conservation Director, and approved by the Board of Selectmen.

GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE 2. – PARKS AND RECREATION PLACES.
Sec. 7-24. – Fish and wildlife.
(e) No person shall hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time, and no person shall use firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any kind of trapping device or any other weapons or explosives to frighten, injure or kill wildlife, except for the purpose of wildlife management as authorized by the Director, in consultation with the Conservation Director, and approved by the Board of Selectmen.

GROTON, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No air gun restrictions documented).

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 25-18. – Facsimiles of firearms.
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) Facsimile of a firearm means (A) any nonfunctional imitation of an original firearm which was manufactured, designed and produced since 1898, or (B) any nonfunctional representation of a firearm other than an imitation of an original firearm, provided such representation could reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm. Such term does not include any look-a-like, non-firing, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or traditional BB or pellet-firing air gun that expels a metallic or paint-contained projectile through the force of air pressure.

CODE OF ORDINANCES of the MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT

8-106(9) DIVISION 4. – VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Unauthorized possession of firearms, archery equipment, or other weapons including, but not limited to, air rifles, slingshots, firecrackers, missile propelling instruments or explosives, or “other substances” (Defined in Section 8-106)
Eviction and referral to Tribal Court which shall impose a fine up to $1,000.00
Sec. 8-106. – Hunting, Firearms, Explosives, Weapons.
(a) No person, except for on duty officers of the Mohegan Tribal Police and, in limited circumstances, State of Connecticut and federal officers (as elsewhere provided in the Mohegan Tribe Code), shall bring into Shantok any firearms, archery equipment or other weapons, including but not limited to air rifles and sling shots, firecrackers, missile propelling instruments or explosives, including any substance, compound or mixture having properties of such a character that alone or in combination with other substances, compounds and mixtures, propel missiles, explode or decompose to produce flames, combustion, noise, or noxious or dangerous odors. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to prohibit the proper use of cigarette lighters, matches or of charcoal lighter fluid in proper containers in picnic grills where permissible pursuant to the provisions of this code.

Borough of NAUGATUCK, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No air gun restrictions/ordinances recorded).

New Haven, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Chapter 19 – PARKS, RECREATION AND TREES
Sec. 19-5. – Rules of conduct and prohibited acts.
(12) Firearms. It shall be unlawful for any person to bring into or have in his/her possession in any park or recreation area:
(h) Any pistol, revolver or object(s) in which loaded or blank cartridges may be used, except for official starters at authorized track and field events.
(ii) Any burglar tool(s), implement(s) or similar equipment.
(iii) Any rifle, shotgun, air gun, spring gun, slingshot, bow or other weapon in which the propelling force is gunpowder, a spring or compressed air.

City of NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No air gun restrictions/ordinances recorded).

NORWICH, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE I. – IN GENERAL
Sec. 14-5. – Firearms; other weapons.
No firearms, air rifles, gas weapons, slingshots, bows and arrows, or any other weapon shall be displayed, carried, or discharged in Mohegan Park, parklets, or recreation areas.
(Ord. No. 628, § 4, 8-7-72; Ord. No. 1124, 6-1-87)
Cross reference— Restrictions on discharging air guns, spring guns and firearms in city, §§ 13-1, 13-8.

PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

(No air gun restrictions/ordinances recorded).

SEYMOUR, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 11-5. – Guns and firearms—Declaration of need for regulation.
It is hereby declared that enactment of sections 11-5 through 11-8 is essential as a matter of public necessity and proper for protection and preservation of health, property and the lives of the citizens of the town, to protect the public safety by prohibiting the selling, or offering for sale to any person under the age of 16 years of any air gun or rifle or pistol, BB gun, spring gun, or pistol or any other implement which impels with force a pellet of any kind or any firearm to any person under the age of 16 years and further prohibiting the possession, use or carrying of such a gun or device.
(Code 1961, § 13-6)
Sec. 11-6. – Same—Sale to children prohibited.
It shall be unlawful and is hereby prohibited for any person to sell or offer for sale to any person under the age of 16 years any air gun or rifle or pistol, BB gun, spring gun or pistol, or rifle, or any other implement which impels with force a pellet of any kind or any gun or rifle or pistol which fires or which is designed or intended to fire a bullet, shell or pellet by means of gunpowder, or other chemical propellant which such devices are generally known as firearms, within the limits of the town.
(Code 1961, § 13-7)
State law reference— Sale of pistols, revolvers to minors prohibited, G.S. § 29-34.
Sec. 11-7. – Same—Ownership, possession, use by children prohibited; exception.
(a) It shall be unlawful and is hereby prohibited for any person under the age of 16 years to own, possess, use or carry any air gun or rifle or pistol, BB gun, spring gun or rifle or pistol, or any other implement which impels with force a pellet of any kind or any gun, rifle or pistol which fires or which is designed or intended to fire a bullet, shell or pellet by means of gunpowder or other chemical propellant which such devices are generally known as firearms, within the limits of the town.
(b) Provided, however, that a person under 16 years of age can have the use of a rifle or other device described in this section, provided they are with their parents or guardians and under their supervision.
(Code 1961, § 13-8)
Sec. 11-8. – Same—Confiscation by police authorized.
The police department is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to seize, remove and destroy any gun, rifle, pistol or implement the use of which is prescribed by the terms of sections 11-5 through 11-7.
(Code 1961, § 13-9)

SHELTON, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE IV. – OPEN SPACES
Sec. 11-51. – Open space regulations.
(10 Hunting, trapping, archery, discharging firearms, paintball guns, air guns or use of any weapon on or into any city open space area is prohibited. Hunters crossing city open space areas to gain access to private or state property may proceed through city open space areas only with an unloaded firearm.

SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE V. – WEAPONS
Sec. 70-191. – Discharge of firearms and other dangerous devices.
(c) For the purpose of this section, a dangerous device shall be any air rifle, BB gun, slingshot, crossbow, bow and arrow, or any other device capable of projecting an object with sufficient force so as to cause injury to person or domestic animals or to cause damage to property.
ARTICLE III. – CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS
Sec. 74-67. – Prohibited behavior.
(8) Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time. No person, other than personnel authorized by the director, shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description, or air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows, slings or any other form of weapons potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, or any instrument that can be loaded with a fire blank cartridge, or any kind of trapping device. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden.

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

CHAPTER 242. – WEAPONS
Sec. 242-1. – Discharge of firearms prohibited; exceptions;
Sec. 242-3. – Specific devices restricted.
Except as otherwise provided in § 242-1, it shall be unlawful for any person within the city to shoot any BB rifle or pistol, air rifle or pistol or similar device, whether the pellets or shot are propelled by spring, compressed air or any other method or device.

TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

ARTICLE I. – SALE TO MINORS
§ 117-1. – Sale of certain guns to minors prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer or expose for sale, lend, hire, barter or give to any person under the age of 18 years any high-compression rifle, pistol, air gun, BB gun or other device in which the expulsive or impelling force is compressed or condensed air.
Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
§ 117-2. – Penalties for offenses.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, and in addition to other penalties provided by law, be subject to a fine not to exceed $100.00 for each such offense.

TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT – Laws Pertaining To Airguns

Sec. 14-7. – Non-powder propelled guns.
(a) For the purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:
Dealer means any person selling, bartering or renting at retail any non-powder-propelled gun.
Minor means a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.
Non-powder-propelled gun means any rifle or pistol which is designed to expel a projectile by the use of compressed air or gas or of a spring or elastic and includes sling shots and similar implements by whatever name known, but does not include a firearm or a bow and arrow.
(b) No person shall sell, lend, rent, barter, give or otherwise transfer any non-powder-propelled gun to any minor, except where the relation of parent and child, guardian and ward or adult instructor and pupil exists between such person and such minor.
(d) Every dealer shall require proof of the age of any person applying to him to sell, rent, lend, barter, or otherwise transfer to him a non-powder-propelled gun and shall be entitled to rely upon reasonable proof so furnished on behalf of any person so applying.
(e) No person shall discharge any non-powder-propelled gun upon private property within the Town, except under such circumstances that when discharged or operated it will not endanger persons or property or cause the projectile to traverse any property other than that property upon which the same was discharged.
(f) No person shall discharge any non-powder-propelled gun from or across any sidewalk or public highway or other public places within the Town except upon a properly conducted target range.
(g) Any person who violates any provision of this section or who falsely represents himself or any other person as being over the age of twenty-one (21) years in order to enable the person so represented to receive, borrow, barter, or otherwise obtain any non-powder-propelled gun shall be fined seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
(Code 1962, §§ 14-1—14-6; Res. No. TC13-100, 10-7-91)