The 2021 Connecticut General Assembly Legislative session convened January 6th and adjourns June 9th. This is a regular session or “long session”, legislators can propose any bills they wish. Proposed bills still need to go through the screening process, referred to committees, and go through the committee process before being called in the chambers for floor votes.
The Capitol will remain closed to the public, but there will be an opportunity for virtual public comments for bills that go to a public hearing.
Stay vigilant and be sure that you receive CCDL’s emails for our future legislative action alerts.
Committee Bills (raised bills by committee that might go to a public hearing):
H.B. 6355 AN ACT CONCERNING RISK PROTECTION ORDERS OR WARRANTS.
To (1) establish a risk protection order and to expand upon the list of persons who may be complainants for purposes of issuance of a risk warrant; (2) require the Judicial Branch to develop and make available a form and explanatory materials to persons applying for a risk protection order; (3) disqualify persons subject to a standing risk protection order from possessing firearms or ammunition; and (4) penalize any such possession.
Public hearing date: Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Introduced by: Judiciary Committee
Concept to be raised by: Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 6491: AN ACT PERMITTING PERSONS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES USING NONLETHAL DEFENSIVE INSTRUMENTS.
To conform Connecticut law to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Caetano v. Massachusetts finding bans on nonlethal defensive instruments to be unconstitutional.
Public hearing date: Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Introduced by: Judiciary Committee
Concept to be raised by: Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 6396 AN ACT CONCERNING DUTY TO RETREAT IN A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
To eliminate the requirement that a person in a house of religious worship retreat before using deadly physical force to defend himself or herself or a third person.
Public hearing date: TBD
Introduced by: Judiciary Committee
Concept to be raised by: Joint Committee on Judiciary
Proposed Bills (introduced by legislators but did not get raised by a committee):
H.B. 5077 AN ACT LIMITING ORDERS RELATED TO FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION DURING A CIVIL PREPAREDNESS OR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
To prohibit the Governor or any municipality from restricting lawful possession of a firearm or ammunition during a civil preparedness or public health emergency.
Introduced by: Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.
Referred to: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5080 AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEMPORARY STATE PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER.
To specify uniform criteria for an application for a temporary state permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
Introduced by: Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.
Referred to: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5091 AN ACT AUTHORING THE CARRYING OF FIREARMS IN STATE PARKS.
To allow persons who hold firearms permits to carry firearms in state parks.
Introduced by: Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.
Referred to: Joint Committee on Environment
S.B. 125 AN ACT LIMITING MULTIPLE HANDGUN PURCHASES IN A THIRTY-DAY PERIOD.
To prohibit anyone from purchasing more than one handgun within any thirty-day period.
Introduced by: Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5191 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DUTY TO RETREAT IN A HOUSE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
To eliminate the requirement that a person in a house of religious worship retreat before using deadly physical force to defend himself or herself or a third person.
Introduced by: Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5192 AN ACT ALLOWING OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS TO CARRY FIREARMS USED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
To allow off-duty police officers to carry firearms used in the performance of official duties on school grounds.
Introduced by: Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 145 AN ACT EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF A TEMPORARY STATE PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER.
To extend the validity of a temporary permit to carry a pistol or revolver until the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection either rejects issuing a state permit or issues a state permit.
Introduced by: Sen. Eric C. Berthel, 32nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 154 AN ACT CONCERNING VOTING RIGHTS.
To (1) implement several changes designed to increase access to absentee ballots, (2) minimize the number of absentee ballots that are rejected, (3) improve timely tabulation of absentee ballots, and (4) prohibit the presence of firearms in or near polling places.
Introduced by: Sen. Alex Kasser, 36th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections
H.B. 5369 AN ACT CONCERNING FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASTLE DOCTRINE.
To fully adopt the “castle doctrine”.
Introduced by: Rep. Kurt Vail, 52nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5372 AN ACT AUTHORIZING CERTAIN FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM CERTAIN FUNCTIONS UNDER THE LAWS RELATING TO FIREARMS.
To include active and retired or separated federal law enforcement officers in certain laws relating to firearms.
Introduced by: Rep. Patrick Callahan, 108th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5384 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS BY MUNICIPALITIES.
To prohibit municipalities from adopting ordinances and regulations to regulate firearms.
Introduced by: Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
S.B. 219 AN ACT EXPANDING THE STATE’S RED FLAG LAW.
To expand the coverage and applicability of risk protection orders to allow a family member, social worker, health care worker, clergy or other concerned community member to notify the court directly about a person who is in possession of a firearm and has threatened to harm herself, himself or another person and ask the court to issue an order to remove firearms from the possession of the person issuing such threats or committing acts of violence.
Introduced by: Sen. Alex Kasser, 36th Dist., Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5433 AN ACT FUNDING THE STATE-WIDE FIREARMS TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE BY REDUCING CITIZENS’ ELECTION PROGRAM GRANTS.
To provide funding to the state-wide firearms trafficking task force.
Introduced by: Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations
H.B. 5448 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CARRYING OF PISTOLS IN STATE FORESTS BY PISTOL PERMIT HOLDERS.
To authorize the carrying of pistols in state forests by pistol permit holders for the purpose of self-defense.
Introduced by: Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Environment
H.B. 5449 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CARRYING OF HANDGUNS BY PISTOL PERMIT HOLDERS WHILE BOW HUNTING FOR DEER OR TURKEY.
To allow for self-defense of pistol permit holders while engaged in bow hunting for deer and turkey.
Introduced by: Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Environment
H.B. 5450 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PURCHASE OF LONG GUNS AND ATTENDANT AMMUNITION AND MAGAZINES BY PERSONS POSSESSING A HUNTING LICENSE AND A VALID STATE-ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.
To allow persons who hold a hunting license and a state-issued photo identification to purchase long guns and ammunition.
Introduced by: Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Environment
H.B. 5501 AN ACT ALLOWING OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO CARRY FIREARMS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
To allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry firearms on school grounds.
Introduced by: Rep. Carol Hall, 59th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Education
H.B. 5531 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX ON AMMUNITION.
To establish a tax on the purchase of ammunition for sale at retail to increase funding for gun violence prevention programs.
Introduced by: Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, 18th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
H.B. 5584 AN ACT REQUIRING MICROSTAMPING OF SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOLS.
To require all models of semiautomatic pistols to be designed and equipped with microstamping technology.
Introduced by: Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, 18th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 276 AN ACT PERMITTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO POSSESS FIREARMS WHILE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
To allow active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons on school property in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.
Introduced by: Sen. Eric C. Berthel, 32nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Education
S.B. 287 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NONREFUNDABLE PERSONAL INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A GUN SAFE.
To establish a nonrefundable credit against the personal income tax of up to one hundred fifty dollars for the purchase of a gun safe for personal use.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
S.B. 341 AN ACT FUNDING THE STATE-WIDE FIREARMS TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE BY REDUCING CITIZENS’ ELECTION PROGRAM GRANTS.
To provide funding to the state-wide firearms trafficking task force.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations
S.B. 362 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEFENSE OF A PERSON’S HOME, MOTOR VEHICLE OR BUSINESS.
To establish a rebuttable presumption in a self-defense claim that, when a person believes it necessary to use deadly force to repel an intruder, such belief is a reasonable belief.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 378 AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEMPORARY STATE PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER.
To specify uniform criteria for an application for a temporary state permit to carry a pistol or revolver so that each town and city will have the same criteria, standards and procedures for the application process.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 379 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN GUN BUY-BACK PROGRAMS.
To require all state and municipal employees involved in gun buy-back programs to have a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 5622 AN ACT ALLOWING OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS TO CARRY FIREARMS USED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
To allow off-duty police officers to carry firearms used in the performance of official duties on school grounds.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Education
S.B. 544 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS.
To prohibit municipalities from adopting ordinances and regulations to regulate firearms.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
S.B. 569 AN ACT REQUIRING THE STATE TO ENTER RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STATES REGARDING PERMITS TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER.
To provide for gun permit reciprocity.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Change of reference to: Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 591 AN ACT CONCERNING THE MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENSE AND PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER.
To combine and streamline the process to renew a motor vehicle operator’s license and a permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
Introduced by: Sen. John A. Kissel, 7th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Transportation
H.B. 5695 AN ACT PERMITTING PERSONS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES USING NONLETHAL DEFENSIVE INSTRUMENTS.
To conform Connecticut law to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Caetano v. Massachusetts finding bans on nonlethal defensive instruments to be unconstitutional.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 5709 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS BY MUNICIPALITIES.
To prohibit the regulation of firearms by municipalities.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
H.B. 5719 AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY STATE PERMITS AND STATE PERMITS TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER FOR RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.
To make it easier and less expensive for retired peace officers to obtain a permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
Introduced by: Rep. Rick L. Hayes, 51st Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 5721 AN ACT EXTENDING THE TERM OF AMMUNITION CERTIFICATES.
To extend the term of an ammunition certificate.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 5752 AN ACT FUNDING THE STATE-WIDE FIREARMS TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE BY REDUCING CITIZENS’ ELECTION PROGRAM GRANTS.
To provide funding to the state-wide firearms trafficking task force.
Introduced by: Rep. Mike France, 42nd Dist., Rep. Gale L. Mastrofrancesco, 80th Dist. Et al
Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations
H.B. 5970 AN ACT CONCERNING THE MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS.
To prohibit the regulation of firearms by municipalities.
Introduced by: Rep. Mike France, 42nd Dist., Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist. Et al
Referred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
H.B. 6033 AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF FIREARMS BY CONVICTED STALKERS.
To prohibit the purchase, transfer or possession and use of a firearm by an individual who has been convicted of stalking, threatening or harassing behaviors.
Introduced by: Rep. Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 6035 AN ACT CONCERNING STAFFING LEVELS AT THE SPECIAL LICENSING AND FIREARMS UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION.
To increase staffing levels at the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in order to ensure that firearms dealers and their customers are better served.
Introduced by: Rep. Mark W Anderson, 62nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 6036 AN ACT CREATING A FIREARMS SELF-RESTRICTION REGISTRY.
To create a Connecticut No Gun Registry, which would allow a person to register to restrict his or her ability to purchase or possess firearms in this state.
Introduced by: Rep. Robin E. Comey, 102nd Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 6037 AN ACT CONCERNING ERASED CRIMINAL RECORDS AND THE REVIEW OF FIREARM PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
To permit chiefs of police and the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners to access arrest records resulting in a nolle in the case of a domestic violence offense in order to determine an applicant’s suitability to hold a permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
Introduced by: Rep. Quentin W. Phipps, 100th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
H.B. 6256 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSFER OF ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES.
To allow the legal transfer of an assault weapon possessed under a certificate of possession and large capacity magazines possessed under a declaration of possession between people who already legally possess such weapons or magazines.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
H.B. 6257 AN ACT CONCERNING TARGET PISTOLS DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
To exclude from the definition of “assault weapon” any rimfire target pistols that are designed for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games.
Introduced by: Rep. Doug Dubitsky, 47th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 730 AN ACT PERMITTING PERSONS TO CARRY HANDGUNS IN STATE PARKS AND STATE FORESTS.
To prevent the state from restricting persons from carrying handguns in state parks and state forests for the purpose of self-defense.
Introduced by: Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Environment
S.B. No. 774 AN ACT CONCERNING THE THEFT OF FIREARMS FROM VEHICLES.
To prevent the theft of firearms from vehicles and save lives.
Introduced by: Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist., Rep. Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist., et al
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
S.B. 780 AN ACT CONCERNING EMERGENCY CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY PHYSICIANS AND FIREARM POSSESSION AND SALES.
To add temporary commitments under physician’s emergency certifications to any registry of admissions for patients with psychiatric disabilities that is maintained by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and reviewed when determining the suitability of a person to purchase or possess a firearm.
Introduced by: Sen. Christine Cohen, 12th Dist.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
Joint Favorable Bills (voted out of committee waiting for vote by General Assembly):
Pending
