Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Norwich or the Litchfield Hills: Connecticut buyers can order from JCM Armory and pick up at a licensed dealer near them. JCM Armory is a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Joppa, Maryland. We ship to local FFLs in 49 states (not California). Connecticut has some of the more detailed firearm rules in the country, so please read this page, and check with your dealer, before you order.
How buying a gun online works in Connecticut
- Pick your firearm and your dealer. Add the gun to your cart and choose a licensed Connecticut dealer at checkout. Have your permit or eligibility certificate in hand before you order.
- Off to your dealer. We keep your FFL’s license on file and ship the firearm to their address. Home delivery of firearms isn’t an option.
- Permit check and pickup. Show your permit or eligibility certificate and ID, complete ATF Form 4473, and the dealer gets an authorization number from the state before transfer.
What to know about firearm transfers in Connecticut
Handguns. Connecticut requires a pistol permit, a pistol eligibility certificate or a dealer permit to buy a handgun.
Long guns. A long-gun eligibility certificate (or a pistol permit or eligibility certificate) is required to buy a rifle or shotgun. Certificates are valid for five years.
Assault weapon and magazine bans. Connecticut bans the sale of firearms it defines as “assault weapons” and of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. These laws are being challenged in court.
Gun laws differ by state and city and can change. You are responsible for following all federal, state and local laws, and your Connecticut dealer can help with specifics. This overview isn’t legal advice. Some items we sell may not be legal to buy in Connecticut; your dealer will not transfer an item that state law prohibits. Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.
Shipping and fees
- Guns at $300 or above: shipping is on us.
- Ammunition: we cover shipping when your ammo adds up to $750 or more.
- Below those amounts, it’s a single $15 flat rate, and firearms travel separately from ammo.
- Powder or primers in your order add a $40 hazmat surcharge, set by the carriers.
- Your Connecticut dealer charges their own transfer fee.
Popular categories for Connecticut buyers
Connecticut hunting rules come from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Before you order in Connecticut
Connecticut eligibility certificates and pistol permits are issued through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. Handgun permits and certificates require an approved handgun safety course, and all applicants submit fingerprints. Getting the certificate can take a while, so apply well before you plan to buy. Once you have it, choose a Connecticut dealer at checkout. They’ll request an authorization number from the state at transfer. Shotgun hunters in the state forests and waterfowlers on Long Island Sound should check DEEP’s season dates before ordering.
Connecticut also requires a permit or certificate to buy ammunition, so the same credential you show for a firearm transfer matters when you pick up cartridges. Buyers from Fairfield County to the Quiet Corner should keep their certificate number handy at checkout so the dealer can verify it quickly. If your certificate is close to expiring, renew it before you order so the transfer isn’t held up.
Connecticut law sets 21 as the minimum age for a pistol permit or eligibility certificate and bars handgun transfers to anyone under 21. Most long guns can be sold at retail to buyers 18 and older, but semi-automatic centerfire rifles that accept magazines over five rounds can’t be transferred to anyone under 21. Since October 1, 2023, retail buyers are also limited to three handgun purchases in a 30-day period, so plan multi-gun orders around that limit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to buy a long gun in Connecticut?
Yes. You need a long-gun eligibility certificate, or a pistol permit or pistol eligibility certificate.
Do I need a permit to buy a handgun in Connecticut?
Yes. A pistol permit or pistol eligibility certificate is required.
Can a gun be shipped to my house in Connecticut?
No. Firearms ship only to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete the paperwork and background check before pickup.
Is shipping free?
On firearms priced $300 or more, yes. Ammo ships free once you have $750 of ammunition in the cart. Other orders pay a flat $15, and powder or primers add a $40 hazmat fee.
Do you ship to every state?
We ship firearms to local FFL dealers in 49 states. We do not ship to California.