STATE OF CONNECTICUT

AGENCY LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

2010 SESSION

Document Name (e.g., OPM051.doc; OPM052.doc)

Agency

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Agency Priority (necessary)

Title of Proposal

Carrying A Pistol or Revolver Concealed. Statutory Reference

Proposal Type

New X Resubmittal

ATTACH COPY OF FULLY DRAFTED BILL (Required for review)

APPROVAL OF OTHER AFFECTED AGENCY (Attach additional approvals if necessary

Summary of Proposal (Include background information)

This new law would require that a pistol or revolver be carried concealed. With certain exceptions for peace officer, parole officers, corrections officers of this state and other states while engaged in official duties as well as federal marshals, agents, armed forces and licensed armed security guards in pursuit of their duties. Also included are the penalties for violations of this act.

Reason for Proposal (Include significant policy and programmatic impacts)

Connecticut’s firearms carry laws are vague in language as it pertains to carrying a pistol or revolver concealed. Recently, citizens have taken it upon themselves to test our statutes by carrying openly. In doing so, several arrests have been made under the Breach of Peace statues C.G.S. 53a-181, with those dispositions ending in nolle’s or dismissal, proving that these laws are inadequate in their detail. It is clear that there is a necessity for a concealed firearm law with more detail or, consequently, Connecticut may end up being a state where they carry exposed at all times as decided by case law.

Significant Fiscal Impacts

Municipal: None

Federal: None

State: Penalties would increase the general fund.

(NEW) CARRYING A PISTOL OR REVOLVER CONCEALED. Exceptions. Definitions. Penalties.

(a) Any person carrying a pistol or revolver, pursuant to the provision of section 29-35, shall conceal such pistol or revolver.

(b) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the carrying of any pistol or revolver by any parole officer or peace officer or a uniformed corrections officer of this state, 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 by section 27-103, or of this state, as defined by section 27-2, when on duty or going to or from duty, or a uniformed armed security officer licensed to carry a pistol or revolver while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

(c) Concealed pistol or revolver means a firearm, that is a pistol or revolver that is covered or enclosed in any manner that an observer cannot determine that it is a handgun without removing it from that which covers or encloses it or without opening, lifting, or removing that which covers or encloses it. However, concealed handgun does not include a shotgun or rifle.

(d) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) for conviction of a first offense, be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars, and (b) be imprisoned not more than one year; and (2) for a subsequent conviction of this offense (a) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than five thousand dollars, and (b) be imprisoned not more than five years.