Substitute House Bill No. 7137 seeks to amend the regulations surrounding the issuance of carry permits for pistols and revolvers in Connecticut, with an effective date of October 1, 2025. The bill repeals and replaces subsection (b) of section 29-28 of the general statutes, introducing new requirements for applicants, including mandatory state and national criminal history checks. It expands the list of disqualifying offenses to include certain misdemeanor violations from other jurisdictions, particularly those involving violence or substance possession, while removing previous disqualifications related to specific misdemeanors. The bill also clarifies that individuals with certain criminal backgrounds, including felonies and specific misdemeanors, will not be granted permits, and it exempts current permit holders from additional training requirements.

Furthermore, the bill modifies eligibility criteria for obtaining state permits for pistols, revolvers, and long guns, allowing individuals aged 21 and older to apply for pistol or revolver eligibility certificates, and those aged 18 and older for long gun certificates. It mandates that permit holders notify the issuing authority of any address changes within two business days and requires that permits include a full-face photograph of the permittee. The bill also streamlines disqualification criteria by removing some existing language regarding previous convictions. The estimated fiscal impact of the bill is significant, with costs to the state projected between $784,444 and $1,961,111 annually due to the need for additional staffing and resources to manage the increased application workload.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-36f, 29-37p
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 29-36f, 29-37p
File No. 782: 29-36f, 29-37p