Looking for Connecticut CCW/legal advice

[Arethusa]

I may be taking an internship in a notoriously rough city this summer, and I am seriously considering getting a CCW license and a handgun. I am, however, rather unfamiliar with Connecticut handgun regulations, and I've never touched a gun in my life, so I could use a little help navigating the process.

As far as I can tell, I need to take a class (I'm guessing at a cost of $200ish), followed by a may issue application process that seems to come out to roughly $100. I don't know how long the entire process takes or just how often Connecticut denies applications, but I really don't want to throw money at this for no reason. The gun I'm fairly set on (Sig Pro Sp2022 in 9mm, most likely) is another $400 if I find a really good deal, and I'm wondering if it's just cheaper to just hand over my wallet about 20 times.

Jokes aside, the process does seriously seem to be more trouble than it's worth, and $700 is an extremely nontrivial amount of money for a student. I'd appreciate any advice from other Connecticut residents, whether on how to best navigate the application process or just to not bother altogether.

[edit]

Maybe this belongs in general. I'm not sure. I'd appreciate it if a mod would move it if it does.

 

[rkh]

deleted

 

[rkh]

CCW denials for qualified applicants are somewhere between rare and nonexistent. Just look presentable and have your stuff together when you show up to get fingerprinted. Also, if you want to get the permit in time for summer, schedule an apointment to get fingerprinted ASAP. I was forced to wait 3 months to get my app filed, and another 2 months for the cops to run my prints.

Unless you're new to firearms, I think the $200+/day long safety classes are a waste of money. IM me and I'll send you the name of a Hartford area NRA instructor who offers a 3 hour class including range time for $75.

 

[peteinct]

more CT rules

Arethusa, When I got mine I needed 3 letters of recommendation when I went to get fingerprinted along with the certificate from the class. My class was an all day affair with very little shooting time. I was somewhat familiar with guns so I was ahead of alot of the other guys in the class. It took 6-8 weeks all told. There were costs at every step.

If you need handgun instruction make sure you mention it to your prospective teacher so you can find a class that suits you. If it is just for a summer it probably isn't worth it. If you are a CT resident you can buy a longarm with a 2 week wait with no liscence.

Handguns are hard to shoot well. It is not like the movies and they are not a magic wand to wave that makes the bad guys behave. Owning them takes a commitment to learning how to shoot them well and WHEN to do so.

CT isn't a gun friendly state. You could get in a mess of trouble with a gun very easily. For a short stay an OC spray may be a better option. I know, better to be judged by 12 yada,yada, but there it is.

pete

 

[ilbob]

Handguns are hard to shoot well.

Well is a relative term. You can learn to shoot well enough in a few hours. You do not need to be an expert marksman to shoot well enough to defend yourself. If you are able to put multiple rounds into a pie plate at 15 feet, it is probably adequate. Two inch groups at 25 yards are very impressive, but not necessary for defensive shooting.

It is not like the movies and they are not a magic wand to wave that makes the bad guys behave.

That is true. The bad guys don't fall over when you whip out your six shooter. Once you get to the point where you need to whip it out, you probably have gotten to the point where you need to pull the trigger.

Owning them takes a commitment to learning how to shoot them well and WHEN to do so.

The second part may well be more important than the first part, but most people understand implicitly that you can't just go around shooting people at random.

 

[Arethusa]

It is not like the movies and they are not a magic wand to wave that makes the bad guys behave. Owning them takes a commitment to learning how to shoot them well and WHEN to do so.

Believe me, I know. I take this pretty seriously, and in all likelihood, the probability of getting mugged or ending up in a similar situation is still pretty slim, rough city and all. On top of that, most of those kinds of situations are most safely defused by just handing over your wallet anyway, and I'm not interested in being a bad movie action hero.

Still, getting a gun seemed worth considering, and secondarily, I really did kind of want to shoot one at a range. I'm pretty sure I can't buy one at all without a CCW license in CT, whether I want to carry it or not.

 

[romma]

Believe me, I know. I take this pretty seriously, and in all likelihood, the probability of getting mugged or ending up in a similar situation is still pretty slim, rough city and all.

Not as uncommon as you might think...

 

[Arethusa]

Yes, I realize it happens. A friend of a friend got mugged (although she looks pretty muggable), and she described it as being surprisingly civil. What I'm really wondering is if the risks really outweigh the cost and giant pain in the ass of getting a CCW license in this state. And I have to admit that the idea of submitting personal information and fingerprints just bothers me on principle. If there were a way to just buy a gun for range shooting and the like without bothering with all the CCW stuff, I might have done it, but as it stands, I don't know.

 

[distra]

If you are inturning where I think you are (ie. New Haven) I'd apply ASAP, that is if you are a resident. Your permanent residency should be CT to qualify for the permit. If you are a permanent resident of another state, get your permit there first then get a out-state CT permit. Fairly easy to do. However, I would be prepair for a long wait for approval in New Haven. The mayor down there wants to re-introduce the law concerning reporting stolen firearms within 72 hrs. We got that voted down last year, I guess we are in for another fight. Don't let the "small town" CT atmosphere fool ya' We recently had two ladies rob our local Blimpies at gun point this past week. My wife, son and myself stop in there frequently. You can bet I'll be carrying every chance I get.

 

[Arethusa]

Yeah, New Haven. I am a permanent CT resident, but I live about an hour away on the New York border. It's a small town, so I really have no idea how it is with approving applications. I think the only people who carry are guys who ride bikes on weekends.

Is the process and long and unpleasant (and expensive) as it looked when I was reading the law on packing.org?

 

[distra]

Not really. You can take safety course in Guilford, I forgot the name of the range down there, but you can look it up on the web. Once you take the course, Barney or Andy will need to finger print you (local PD). Then you take that to the Selectman's office at Town Hall, the secretary will give you a form to sign and you pay $35 for the background check. It took my wife ~6wks to hear back from the town. The town will call you and have you come pick up the town tempary permit. You take this to either the State Police head quarters in Middltown or the closest satellite State Police Barricks. Follow this link to the find out more info and where the satellite facilities are located.
http://www.ct.gov/DPS/cwp/view.asp?a=2158&q=294484

 

[peteinct]

Glad to hear of another ct member

It might be easier to get your permit at home where you're known. A buddy of mine got his in Meriden and the police dragged their feet as long as they were able to just on general principles. In my town the individual cop that did my fingerprints was surly about it but all my paperwork was done well before the due date. I think they have to give you a permit unless there is a concrete reason not to . I don't think they have discresion.

A search at the nra web site should provide a link to instructors. There should be some near you. If not PM me I know 2 personally who shoot at my club in New Britain. Look for someone who is good at explaining all the laws and storage rules. I still have problems with that myself

Sorry if I came across as a grouch before. If you want to go out shooting just PM me and I can take you to the range.
pete

 

[distra]

...but I live about an hour away on the New York border.

At least you are on this side. If you were on the other side, good luck ever getting a permit. I know, upstate is different, but come on, Fuhrer Bloomburg has the state by the short hairs.