CT Carry Info
I can not take credit for compiling this info, but I will pass it along, I found it to be a good read.
In the state of Connecticut you are required to carry your handgun concealed. In addition, you are required to have a concealed carry permit (see the 'Permits' page for information about permits). Some things to keep in mind about carrying ...
- If you are carrying your handgun lawfully (meaning you have a legal permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver and that weapon is registered and owned by you) and someone sees it, its' silhouette, or if someone finds out you are carrying it (IE, should you tell someone who tells someone else etc...) you can be charged with the following offenses: 53a-181, Breach of Peace in the 2nd Degree (you have recklessly created a risk of annoyance or alarm and you have created a hazardous condition); 53a-64, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree (it can be considered recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a risk of injury).
- Anything you do, has just become whatever it was but now has the stigma of "with a deadly weapon". This means that if you get into a fight, instead of assault, you now have assault with a deadly weapon (Sections 53a-59 through 53a-61 deal with the various levels of assault.) In addition, you can have Section 53a-216, Criminal Use of Firearm or Electronic Defense Weapon levied against you. This basically says if in the commission of a felony you use either of the above, you can be charged with this.
- If you're going to the bar, it's best not to carry. If you are caught drinking and in possession of a firearm, that's against the law (Section 53a-206d, Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drug.) In most cases, it will likely be assumed by a responding police officer that you have in fact been drinking, and will probably cause more hassle than it is worth.
- When bringing your gun out for a drive (IE, you have it in your car for transfer to a range etc...), Section 29-38, Weapons in Vehicles states if you don't have you pistol permit, or other appropriate license, and you have a weapon in your vehicle, you and anyone else in your vehicle can be charged with having possession of that weapon. In addition, Section 53-205, Shotguns, Rifles, and Muzzleloaders in Vehicles and Snowmobiles deals with those specific weapons and states when transporting those firearms, you must do so with them unloaded (unless you're a police officer, military, security, etc...).
Below are some other laws which deal with carrying, but mainly apply to those without permits:
Section 29-35, Carrying of Pistol or Revolver without Permit Prohibited, self explanatory.
Section 29-206, Carrying of Dangerous Weapons Prohibited, specified 'other deadly instrument' which could be considered a gun.