- Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:03 am
#57015
I look at pistol laws in Connecticut from time to time to make sure I understand the ever changing laws since having a pistol permit in CT for over 50 years. I came across one that surprised me as follows:
Handguns in Motor Vehicle
Carrying Handguns in Motor Vehicles. By law, when handguns are being transported in a motor vehicle, they must be unloaded and kept in a place (1) not readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment or (2) locked container other than the glove compartment or console. A violation carries a penalty of one to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, with a mandatory minimum one-year sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Any handgun found in the violator's possession must be forfeited (CGS §§ 29-35 and 29-37).
Thinking it was OK to carry a loaded handgun in a car while driving in CT with a CT permit (Which I normally never do), I called the CT State Police to ask about this. The woman I spoke with clearly stated the rule I posted above is true even with a permit to carry in CT. Many of my shooting friends say the above restrictions only apply if you do not have a permit. If it is against the law to carry a loaded unlocked handgun in a motor vehicle, it certainly makes it impossible for anyone to carry for personal protection while driving. Can anyone on this forum verify what the law really is? Risking a mandatory year in jail for not properly locking an unloaded pistol in a motor vehicle would be a bummer.
Handguns in Motor Vehicle
Carrying Handguns in Motor Vehicles. By law, when handguns are being transported in a motor vehicle, they must be unloaded and kept in a place (1) not readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment or (2) locked container other than the glove compartment or console. A violation carries a penalty of one to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, with a mandatory minimum one-year sentence in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Any handgun found in the violator's possession must be forfeited (CGS §§ 29-35 and 29-37).
Thinking it was OK to carry a loaded handgun in a car while driving in CT with a CT permit (Which I normally never do), I called the CT State Police to ask about this. The woman I spoke with clearly stated the rule I posted above is true even with a permit to carry in CT. Many of my shooting friends say the above restrictions only apply if you do not have a permit. If it is against the law to carry a loaded unlocked handgun in a motor vehicle, it certainly makes it impossible for anyone to carry for personal protection while driving. Can anyone on this forum verify what the law really is? Risking a mandatory year in jail for not properly locking an unloaded pistol in a motor vehicle would be a bummer.