Connecticut law requiring permit or certificate for sale, transfer of long guns takes effect

HARTFORD >> Starting Tuesday, April 1, long guns may not be sold or transferred in Connecticut without a permit to carry pistols or revolvers or an eligibility certificate for pistols or revolvers or a long gun eligibility certificate, according to the state police.

The law is part of the package of gun control legislation passed by the General Assembly last year after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Other parts of the law had already taken effect.

The law required owners of assault weapons that were banned under the law to register their guns by Jan. 1, 2014. That was also the deadline for the registration of large capacity magazines. The law also put in place universal background checks, barred the sales of ammunition to anyone under 18 and created a dangerous weapon offender registry.

The state police said as of Tuesday, that the permits can also be used for the purchase of ammunition. Anyone intending to purchase only ammunition and not any further firearms will be required only to obtain an ammunition certificate.

According to the state police, sales authorization numbers will be required for all firearm sales, retail or private, and must be submitted to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit using form DPS-3-C (sale or transfer of all firearms). A DPS-67-C form (application to purchase firearms) must be filled out and retained by the seller. The forms are available at the state DESPP website.

Sales authorization numbers may be obtained by calling 860-685-8400 or 1-888-335-8438 (in-state only) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit is closed on state and federal holidays.

Also effective Tuesday, hunting licenses will not be accepted for the purchase of a long gun. A 14-day wait for non permitted persons will no longer be conducted.

A long gun is defined in the law as a firearm other than a pistol or revolver.