Can You Shoot on Your Property in Connecticut?

With the lockdown measures introduced in various states in early 2020, many gun ranges were forced to shut their doors for weeks and even months. This situation left many gun enthusiasts wondering where they would be able to get much-needed shooting practice.

Since many individuals were spending most of their time at home, it wasn’t long before gun owners began to ask themselves whether they could do target shooting practice right within their property.

Can You Shoot on Your Property in Connecticut?

Yes, you can shoot on your property in Connecticut because there is currently no Connecticut statute which would prohibit shooters from shooting on their own property.

However, one should consult their local authorities since certain towns and cities might have regulations that prohibit the discharging of firearms within the town or city limits.

Safety and Noise Concerns

The Connecticut Department Of Energy and Environmental Protection website clearly outlines that when it comes to shooting on private property, the location needs to satisfy down range safety guidelines.

• This means that the property needs to be large enough.
• The shooting field should not have any fire hazards such as gas or oil containers which can potentially be set ablaze resulting in a fire.
• The shooters should also make sure that there are no people or farm animals in the shooting field at the time of target practice.

These are some of the basic safety guidelines which need to be put in place prior to shooting on private property.

In a 2013 article on Patch website, it is reported that an Oxford resident was arrested for target shooting using a rifle in an area that was close to people and homes.

The shooter had failed to inform the local law enforcement prior to the shooting practice session and hence this led to a lot of panic and misunderstanding since residents could hear gun fire however they were not aware of what was happening.

In order to avoid such a scenario, it is always advisable that you should inform your local law enforcement that you intend to conduct target shooting on your private property on a particular day and time or practice shooting in a designated shooting range.

In addition, it is common courtesy for you to inform your neighbours as well and make sure that they are okay with the idea so that they do not panic when you start your shooting session.

Permits and Weaponry

When shooting on your property in Connecticut, it is important to remember that the state has a ban on assault weapons. This means that you are not allowed to use any selective-fire firearm which is capable of burst fire, semiautomatic or fully automatic at the option of the user.

You can check out the Connecticut’s Official State Website for an official list of the specified semiautomatic firearms which are banned in the state.

Regarding permits, Connecticut is a may-issue state where open carry is allowed if you possess the Connecticut Pistol Permit (CTPP). This permit is issued to individuals who are above 21 years of age and they need to have completed a state-approved training course on firearms.

The state of Connecticut does not recognize licenses or permits from any other state. This means that non-residents who possess licenses from other states will need to reapply for a CTPP before they can be allowed to open carry and conceal carry in the state.

Conclusion

If you have a spacious property, then it can be quite convenient for you to convert your space into a target shooting practice area. This allows you the freedom to conduct shooting practice on a regular basis without necessarily having to visit a gun range.