Ammunition and firearm retailers located in Connecticut have a new law with which to comply as of October 1, 2013. A provision of Senate Bill 1160 which requires purchasers of ammunition or magazines that hold ammunition to obtain a state issued ammunition and magazine certificate. The new law requires new state issued eligibility certificates for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun, magazine or ammunition.

Long guns: The bill establishes a new revocable state-issued “long gun eligibility certificate”, which will require the applicant to undergo a firearms safety training course, be fingerprinted, and undergo a national criminal background and involuntary commitment /voluntary admission check. Under the bill, as of April 1, 2014, such long gun eligibility certificate will be required to be presented for the purchase of any rifle or shotgun (in addition to the aforementioned now-“universal” criminal background check). Ammunition: The bill establishes a new revocable state issued “ammunition eligibility certificate”, which will require the applicant to pass a national criminal background check. The bill requires, as of October 1, 2013, that any sale of ammunition or an ammunition magazine to a Connecticut resident be accompanied by the presentation of either a permit to carry a pistol or revolver, an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver, a long gun eligibility certificate, a firearms dealer permit, or a combination of an ammunition eligibility certificate and a state issued photo ID.  Therefore , as of October 1, 2013 there will be no legal sales of ammunition or magazines to any Connecticut resident who has not passed a national criminal background check, and is in good standing with regard to such check (i.e. their state issued certificate has not been revoked).

This certificate is issued through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and is valid for 5 years. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, undergo a criminal background investigation and pay a fee of $35. The certificate is only good for purchasing ammunition and magazines, not firearms. The Department of emergency Services and Public Protection confirmed that the certificate can be issued to non-residents. A holder of a valid Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers or the above mentioned “Long Gun Eligibility Certificate” is exempt from this requirement. The form to apply for this certificate may be downloaded here.