2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Connecticut (CT) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 7 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in CT for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Connecticut for Cash in 2026

    To legally sell a firearm in Connecticut, owners must possess comprehensive knowledge of the state’s extensive laws governing the ownership, transfer, and carrying of weapons to ensure absolute compliance and avoid serious legal errors.

    Given the numerous strict regulations, particularly those concerning the transfer process between individuals, anyone considering selling a gun must be fully current on all applicable statutes to guarantee the transaction is lawful.

    Best options for selling a gun in Connecticut in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Connecticut, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Connecticut Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Connecticut firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Connecticut firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      While private firearm transactions are permitted in Connecticut, the process is complex as all private party sales and purchases require a permit. To legally purchase a handgun, a resident buyer must be a licensed Firearms Dealer, a Sworn Police Officer, or hold either a valid Eligibility Certificate or a valid Permit to Carry Pistols or Revolvers. The transaction requires the completion of form DPS-67-C and four copies of form DPS-3-C. Before the sale, the seller must contact the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit at (860) 685-8400 or (888) 335-8438 to obtain an authorization number, which must be added to both forms.

      Regarding documentation, the seller is required to retain the DPS-67-C for 20 years and keep the original DPS-3 for their records. Of the remaining DPS-3 copies, one is given to the purchaser as a receipt, one must be submitted to the local police authority in the purchaser’s town of residence, and the final copy must be sent to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Similarly, for long guns, no person may purchase or receive one unless they hold a valid long gun eligibility certificate, a valid permit to carry or sell a pistol or revolver, or a valid pistol or revolver eligibility certificate. The seller must ensure the application is completed properly and obtain an authorization number from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection before any long gun sale or transfer is finalized.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Connecticut

    Any individual purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) is required by federal law, specifically the Brady Act, to complete the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), which the dealer must retain. The dealer is then obligated to initiate a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check on the prospective buyer.

    This check determines the purchaser’s eligibility to own a firearm based on federal and state prohibitions, such as felony convictions or domestic violence history. If the NICS check results in a denial that the purchaser believes is unwarranted or due to an error, a formal appeal process is available to challenge the decision and potentially receive clearance for the firearm purchase.

    Connecticut’s gun laws are among the most restrictive in the nation, making private transactions exceptionally complex. All private firearm sales, for both handguns and long guns, require a mandatory background check and state authorization, which means the transaction must be processed through a licensed dealer, or by following specific procedures involving the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to obtain an authorization number. The buyer must possess a valid Permit to Carry Pistols or Revolvers or an Eligibility Certificate to purchase any firearm, and handguns must be registered with the state upon transfer. Additionally, the sale or transfer of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds) is severely restricted or banned. Sellers must complete specific state forms (like the DPS-3-C) and retain records for up to 20 years to comply with the legal requirement of ensuring the buyer is eligible and the firearm is legal to possess in the state.

    2026 Restrictions on Assault Weapons in Connecticut

    In Connecticut, the general ban on Assault Weapons allows for specific statutory exemptions for possession and purchase. Law enforcement and military personnel are permitted to possess these weapons when necessary for the performance of their official duties. For a sworn member of law enforcement to purchase an Assault Weapon, they must first secure a specific letter of authorization from the Commissioner or relevant authority. This letter must explicitly state that the weapon will be used in the discharge of their official duties and confirm that a records check has been performed showing the member has not been convicted of a crime of family violence.

    Furthermore, any civilian who lawfully possessed an Assault Weapon prior to the ban may continue to possess it, provided they obtained a valid Certificate of Possession issued by the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, which lists the specific registered weapon.

    2026 Firearm Ownership Prohibitors in Connecticut

    In Connecticut, specific legal conditions determine whether an individual is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.

    2026 General Possession Prohibitionsin Connecticut

    Under state law, no person may possess any firearm if they have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence that involved the use (or threatened use) of physical force or a deadly weapon.

    2026 Handgun and Permit Eligibility in Connecticut

    Individuals are strictly prohibited from possessing a handgun or obtaining a Pistol Permit or Eligibility Certificate if they:

    • Are under 21 years of age;
    • Are currently subject to a Protective or Restraining Order;
    • Have been convicted of a felony; or
    • Were convicted of any of the following Connecticut misdemeanors after October 1, 1994:
    StatuteOffense
    21a-279(c)Illegal possession of narcotics or other controlled substances
    53a-58Criminally negligent homicide
    53a-61Assault in the third degree
    53a-61aAssault of a victim 60 or older in the third degree
    53a-62Threatening
    53a-63Reckless endangerment in the first degree
    53a-96Unlawful restraint in the second degree
    53a-175Riot in the first degree
    53a-176Riot in the second degree
    53a-178Inciting to riot
    53a-181dStalking in the second degree

     

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

    Given the overwhelming complexity and strict mandatory procedures for private firearm sales under Connecticut’s gun laws, Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun while guaranteeing 100% compliance with all state and federal regulations.

    The entire process is designed to be hassle-free and can be completed without leaving your house: simply inform them which firearm(s) you wish to sell, receive a competitive offer, and upon acceptance, you will be provided with prepaid shipping to mail the gun directly to their licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

    This arrangement delegates the intricate legal transfer and required state paperwork to the FFL, ensuring the process is quick and safe, and resulting in payment delivered to you via check within a few days of the firearm’s receipt.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 Connecticut General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Connecticut firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Connecticut Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Can I legally sell a gun in Connecticut in 2026?

      Yes, you can legally sell a firearm in Connecticut in 2026, but all firearm transfers, including private sales, must go through a federally licensed dealer (FFL) or be processed with authorization from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP).

    • Do I need a background check to sell a gun in Connecticut?

      Yes, all firearm sales and transfers in Connecticut require a background check on the buyer. The seller must obtain an authorization number from the DESPP before the sale can be completed, even for private transactions.

    • Can I sell a handgun to another person in Connecticut?

      Yes, private handgun sales are allowed in Connecticut, but both the buyer and seller must be Connecticut residents. The buyer must hold a valid pistol permit or eligibility certificate, and the transfer must include a background check and authorization number.

    • Do I need a permit to sell a gun in Connecticut?

      You do not need a seller’s permit to sell a gun in Connecticut, but the buyer must possess the appropriate permit or eligibility certificate depending on the firearm type. All sales must comply with the state’s background check and reporting requirements.

    • Can I sell my gun online in Connecticut in 2026?

      Yes, you can sell a gun online in Connecticut, but the transfer must go through a licensed firearm dealer. Federal and state law require that the buyer complete a background check and that the sale be properly documented.

    • What’s the safest way to sell a gun in Connecticut?

      The safest and most compliant way to sell a gun in Connecticut is through a federally licensed firearm dealer. Dealers handle background checks, paperwork, and reporting to ensure the sale meets all state and federal requirements.

    • Do I have to register my gun before selling it in Connecticut?

      Connecticut does not require firearm registration in the traditional sense, but every sale or transfer is recorded with the state when the authorization number is issued. This system ensures that firearm ownership records remain current and traceable.

    • Can I sell my gun to a licensed dealer or an online buyer like CashMyGuns?

      Yes, you can legally sell your gun to a licensed dealer or a reputable online buyer like CashMyGuns. The transaction must still comply with Connecticut’s background check, authorization, and transfer laws.

    • What should be included in a firearm bill of sale in Connecticut?

      A firearm bill of sale in Connecticut should include the make, model, caliber, and serial number of the firearm, along with both parties’ names, addresses, permit numbers, and signatures. Including the state-issued authorization number is also recommended for your records.

    • Are there restrictions on the types of guns I can sell in Connecticut?

      Yes, Connecticut has restrictions on certain firearms, including assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. These items cannot be sold privately and must comply with state and federal regulations governing restricted weapons.

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