Never had to think about this before. So I did some googling, take this for what it's worth, (BOLD added by me):
Sec. 29-35
. Carrying of pistol or revolver without permit prohibited.
Exceptions. (a) No 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 same issued as provided in section 29-28. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the carrying of any pistol or revolver by any parole officer or peace officer of this state, or any Department of Motor Vehicles inspector appointed under section 14-8 and certified pursuant to section 7-294d, or parole officer or peace officer of any other state while engaged in the pursuit of official duties, or federal marshal or federal law enforcement agent, or to any member of the armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 27-103, or of the state, as defined in section 27-2, when on duty or going to or from duty, or to any member of any military organization when on parade or when going to or from any place of assembly, or to the transportation of pistols or revolvers as merchandise, or to any person transporting any pistol or revolver while contained in the package in which it was originally wrapped at the time of sale and while transporting the same from the place of sale to the purchaser's residence or place of business, or to any person removing such person's household goods or effects from one place to another, or to any person while transporting any such pistol or revolver from such person's place of residence or business to a place or individual where or by whom such pistol or revolver is to be repaired or while returning to such person's place of residence or business after the same has been repaired,
or to any person transporting a pistol or revolver in or through the state for the purpose of taking part in competitions, taking part in formal pistol or revolver training, repairing such pistol or revolver or attending any meeting or exhibition of an organized collectors' group
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, or to any person transporting a pistol or revolver to and from a testing range at the request of the issuing authority, or to any person transporting an antique pistol or revolver, as defined in section 29-33. 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 compartment, such pistol or revolver shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the carrying of a pistol or revolver during formal pistol or revolver training or repair.
Source: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_529.htm#sec_29-28
Opinion:
- Can I, as an MA resident without a CT license, possess (not carry) a handgun in CT if attending a training class?
- Based on above, assuming you have a MA license - yes.
- If it's a multi-day class, can I stay at a nearby hotel with my pistol?
- I think so. I'd go with unloaded, locked up, and DISCREET.
- Can I bring magazines >10 rounds if they're unloaded in my bag?
- No. CT doesn't allow you to have > 10 round mags unless they were previously declared, or you're a member of a special class
@Len-2A Training
@dcmdon
Oh, and as
@JRT says above, bring sufficient ammo, you need permit to purchase.
Edited to add - if you're a MA/NH/RI/VT resident, it's potentially worth looking into getting a CT non-resident permit. CT doesn't recognize anyone else's permit - BUT - they do issue non-resident permits unless they've got cause not to. By "cause", I don't mean that "suitability" crap - I mean federally prohibited person or similar.
