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I have looked through the CT general statutues trying to make sense of things I see. It is making me crazy trying to figure it all out.

First question, an assault rifle has a detatchable magazine and any two of the following: pistol grip, folding or telescoping stock, bayonett mount, grenade launcher, or flash hider. Now the part I am not sure about is it seems to be illegal to own any of these "assault weapons" that meet the above criteria ***unless*** you can prove you "posessed" the weapon prior to 1993?

If this is the case what is the deal with quote unquote pre-ban and post ban weapons? I don't understand how anyone can own an "assault rifle" that meets the above criteria unless you personally can prove you "posessed" it prior to 1993 with a possesion certificate provided to you by the state. I certainly don't see how a weapon even pre-ban can be sold between two people?

Do I have this right or am I missing something?

Someone please educate me because this stuff is driving me crazy...

Here's the low down for you.

Apart from the specific models listed on CGS 53-202 and select fire models Here are the other restrictions you need to know specific to CT:

- There are three "types" banned: AK-47* Type; Thompson Type and MAC Carbine Type
* currently means any AK-47 lookalike in 7.62x39 caliber only .223 and 5.45 are currently allowed. Some of us have legal 7.62x39 AK clones with a registration certificate offered back in 2002.

Thompson type means the Auto Ordnance or Khar Arms Thompson semi auto carbine or any future replica that looks like, functions like and shares parts interchangeablity with the "Thompson"

MAC - anythings are illegal in CT

Other than that - you are good to go as long as the rifle or shotgun meets the features criteria from the former, federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004. (Those features were made permanent in CT via legislation passed in 2001)

If you have an older semi auto rifle you want to trick out with "evil" features, you must prove that the receiver was made prior to Sept 13, 1994 - the date the Clinton AW ban went into effect.

For example: an M-1 Carbine. A Wartime M-1 Carbine receiver would be legal to put a folding stock on, a flash hider, etc.
A recently made Khar Arms/Auto Ordnance M-1 Carbine, or IMI Carbine would NOT be legal.

Pistols: generally this means the magazine forward of the grip and weight over 50 ounces.
The Desert Eagle is legal because it's magazine is in the grip - not in front of it even though it weighs more than 50 oz

The new Ruger Charger .22 pistol (version of the 10/22 rifle) is illegal in CT and considered an "Assault Weapon" because it is over 50 oz as delivered from the factory and has a magazine forward of its grip

There are no magazine capacity limits in CT

There are no ammunition restrictions in CT EXCEPT: .50 BMG with any AP or Incendiary component.

Shotguns: you can "evil feature" a PUMP action shotgun all you want. So long as the shotgun retains its 18" barrel and 26" min overall length per federal NFA 1934 requirements.

Hope this helps

Steve

Sorry MrNuke for posting in the wrong section.

Steve and Steve, Thanks for the replies. I am trying to make heads and tails of the statutes and I understand and have heard the explanation you two have given me and know this is the predominant position of most. For my own peace of mind I am trying to find it in black and white in the statutes.

I find this:

      Sec. 53-202c. Possession of assault weapon prohibited. Class D felony. (a) Except as provided in section 53-202e, any person who, within this state, possesses any assault weapon, except as provided in sections 29-37j, 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and 53-202o and subsection (h) of section 53a-46a, shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which one year may not be suspended or reduced; except that a first-time violation of this subsection shall be a class A misdemeanor if (1) the person presents proof that he lawfully possessed the assault weapon prior to October 1, 1993, and (2) the person has otherwise possessed the firearm in compliance with subsection (d) of section 53-202d.

I still have not found a single mention in any of the statutes which has anything to do with the date of manufacture of a firearm. Every reference I find has to do with "possession" of the firearm. It stands to reason the weapon must have been produced before the ban in order for it to have been "possessed", but the term "possession" and "proof of lawful possession before the ban by the owner (meaning having a certificate)" is all I see.

I constantly see pre-ban weapons for sale and assume there is some statute I am not seeing.

I still have not found a single mention in any of the statutes which has anything to do with the date of manufacture of a firearm. Every reference I find has to do with "possession" of the firearm. It stands to reason the weapon must have been produced before the ban in order for it to have been "possessed", but the term "possession" and "proof of lawful possession before the ban by the owner (meaning having a certificate)" is all I see.

I constantly see pre-ban weapons for sale and assume there is some statute I am not seeing.

It's in Sec. 53-202m.

Circumstances when assault weapons exempt from limitations on transfers and registration requirements. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, sections 53-202a to 53-202l, inclusive, shall not be construed to limit the transfer or require the registration of an assault weapon as defined in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a, provided such firearm was legally manufactured prior to September 13, 1994.

Subdivions (3) and (4) of subsection (a) deal with the feature count bans. This is why feature count bans are not applicable to pre 9/13/94 firearms but name bans are.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the education you gave me. It has been a huge help in helping me understand the legal jargon. I truly appreciate the time you spent to set me straight. I kept figuring there was something I was missing. Steve pointed it out at the same time as I found it in the State Statutes.

With there being so many new members reading through this site I hope this helps them understand the laws a little more also. I also advise others if you don't understand something ask and find out! Don't worry about looking uneducated. Everyone has to learn from someone at some point.