COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN
P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076
www.ctsportsmen.com  ccsct@erols.com
 
Testimony presented to the PUBLIC SAFETY Committee (3/11/03)
 
IN SUPPORT of  H.B. No. 6576 (RAISED) 'AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES CONCERNING PERMITS TO CARRY PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS'
 
by Robert T. Crook, Director
 
This bill establishes standards to designate and/or respond to other states requesting reciprocity and provides determination authority to the Commissioner of Public Safety concerning acceptance of their permit or license to carry pistols or revolvers.
 
The standards to be met for reciprocity are:
·        21 years of age and has a permit/license in possession;
·        Mandatory firearms training that meets or exceeds CT standards;
·        Has had a National Criminal History records check prior to issue.
 
The bill also allows non-residents from states designated reciprocal a 90 day period of legality upon moving to this state to apply for a resident permit.
 
The basis for the bill is to allow qualified permitted/licensed non-residents to exercise self-protection and to more freely participate in shooting competitions and hunting. Accepting other states activity qualifications is not dissimilar to what we allow for drivers licenses, hunting, boating, and many other licensing activities.
 
Several other states already recognize CT permits without reciprocal requirements: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, and Vermont. Connecticut currently recognizes None. Others, several who have queried CSP, require reciprocal agreements.
 
Qualified individuals who carry firearms, from whatever state, are undeniably the most lawful and peaceful members of the population. Permit holders are honorable, law-abiding people who do not fear a background check, who take pride in their safe gun handling skills, and those in which an extra measure of trust can/is faithfully placed. To treat our fellow citizens rights as less than our own, even when they meet our qualifications, is clearly inappropriate. There is no danger, real or imagined, in permitting law abiding Americans to enjoy the same freedoms in our state that they do in their own. Similar bills have recently passed or are proceeding through several states
 
Opposition from the CSP last year was that all states do not have updated domestic violence records, but they gave no definitive data.
 
We suggest substituting the word "ISSUE" for "residence" in (f) (2) (B) to allow those who are precluded from getting a permit in their home state (no permits (VT)/or only the elite (NYC)) but have a permit from another recognized state.
 
WE URGE YOUR SUPPORT.
 
[This bill was opposed by both the CT Chiefs of Police Assn and the CT State Police. About a half-dozen sportsmen testified. The Chiefs stated that ONLY Indiana could meet the criteria based upon the misdemeanor convictions found in H. B. No. 6578 below. We have not done that research, but they are probably right. Based upon that comment, we changed our testimony to REPEAL the misdemeanor bill which was included in our testimony as preference, but not expected to be obtainable. The CSP testified as last year that databases were not adequate to insure a permit was valid. Sportsmen testified that this was no different than drivers licenses, CE/FS Certificates, Safe Boating Certification and other nation-wide recognized certifications by states. The simplistic answer was that all it took was a phone call. CCS asked: Doesn't CSP trust other state's law enforcement/permit databases?]
 
Alabama: The State of Alabama recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming. States reciprocate in recognizing Alabama firearms licenses: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. 
 
Alaska: The State of Alaska recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming. States reciprocate in recognizing Alaska firearms licenses: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, Wyoming.  http://www.dps.state.ak.us/ast/achp/
 
Arizona: The State of Arizona recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas.  States reciprocate in recognizing Arizona firearms licenses. Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Texas, Utah, Vermont. http://www.dps.state.az.us/ccw/welcome.htm
 
Arkansas: The State of Arkansas has obtained memorandums of agreements with other states that enable valid concealed handgun license holders from Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah to carry a concealed handgun in the reciprocal state. An Arkansas concealed handgun license holder visiting one of the reciprocal states must obey all laws of a reciprocating state when exercising concealed handgun privileges. States reciprocate in recognizing Arkansas firearms licenses: Arizona; Florida; Kentucky; Oklahoma, South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah. www.state.ar.us/asp/chl
 
California: The State of California recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that  recognize California firearms licenses:  Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont.  http://caag.state.ca.us/
 
Colorado: The State of Colorado recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that  recognize Colorado firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah, Vermont.
 
Connecticut: The State of Connecticut recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that  recognize Connecticut firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont.
 
Delaware: The State of Delaware recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that recognize Delaware firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont.  http://www.state.de.us/dsp/
 
Florida: The State of  Florida recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming. States that recognize Florida firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming.  http://licgweb.dos.state.fl.us/
 
Georgia: Georgia will reciprocate in recognizing firearms licenses with the following states: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Wyoming.  States that recognize Georgia firearms licenses: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming.  http://www.ganet.org/ago/
 
Hawaii: The State of Hawaii recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that recognize Hawaii firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont.  http://www.hawaii.gov/ag/index.html
 
Idaho: The State of Idaho recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming. States that recognize Idaho firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.state.id.us/dle/dle.htm
 
Illinois: Permits Not Available; Permits not granted.
 
Indiana:  The State of Indiana recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming. States that recognize Indiana firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming  http://www.state.in.us/isp/
 
Iowa: The State of Iowa recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that recognize Iowa firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont
 
Kansas: Permits Not Available; Permits not granted. http://www.ink.org/public/ksag/
 
Kentucky: The State of Kentucky recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.  States that recognize Kentucky firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/ksp/ksphome.htm#menu
 
Louisiana: The State of Louisiana recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas.  States that recognize Louisiana firearms licenses: Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia. http://www.dps.state.la.us/stpolice.html
 
Maine: The State of Maine recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Maine firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont.
 
Maryland: The State of Maryland recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Maryland firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.inform.umd.edu/UMS+State/MD_Resources/MDSP/handgun.html
 
Massachusetts: The State of Massachusetts recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Massachusetts firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.state.ma.us/msp/firearms/index.htm
 
Michigan: The State of Michigan recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.  States that recognize Michigan firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming.  http://www.msp.state.mi.us/
 
Minnesota: The State of Minnesota recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Minnesota firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.dps.state.mn.us/
 
Mississippi: The State of Mississippi recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming.  States that recognize Mississippi firearms licenses: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.dps.state.ms.us/
 
Missouri: The State of Missouri recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Missouri firearms licenses: None.  http://www.dps.state.mo.us/home/dpshome.htm
 
Montana: The State of Montana recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.  States that recognize Montana firearms licenses: Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.doj.state.mt.us/ls/weaponslist.htm
 
Nebraska: The State of Nebraska recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Nebraska firearms licenses: None.  http://www.nebraska-state-patrol.org/
 
Nevada: The State of Nevada recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Nevada firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.state.nv.us/ag/
 
New Hampshire: The State of New Hampshire recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Wyoming.  States that recognize New Hampshire firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.state.nh.us/nhsp/index.html
 
New Jersey: The State of New Jersey recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize New Jersey firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.njsp.org/front.html
 
New Mexico:  The State of New Mexico recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize New Mexico firearms licenses: None
 
New York: The State of New York recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize New York firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/
 
North Carolina: The State of North Carolina recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize North Carolina firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Virginia. http://www.jus.state.nc.us/
 
North Dakota: The State of North Dakota recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Wyoming.  States that recognize North Dakota firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.ag.state.nd.us/BCI/BCI.html
 
Ohio: The State of Ohio recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Ohio firearms licenses: None
 
Oklahoma: The State of Oklahoma recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Texas, Utah, Wyoming.  States that recognize Oklahoma firearms licenses: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wyoming. http://www.osbi.state.ok.us/
 
Oregon: The State of Oregon recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Oregon firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.osp.state.or.us/html/index_high.html
 
Pennsylvania: The State of Pennsylvania recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Florida, Kentucky.  States that recognize Pennsylvania firearms licenses: Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/State_Police/
 
Rhode Island: The State of Rhode Island recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None.  States that recognize Rhode Island firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.riag.state.ri.us/
 
South Carolina: The State of South Carolina recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Arkansas, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming.  States that recognize South Carolina firearms licenses: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming.
 
South Dakota: The State of South Dakota recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Florida.  States that recognize South Dakota firearms licenses: Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont. http://www.state.sd.us/state/executive/dcr/hp/page1sdh.htm
 
Tennessee: The State of  Tennessee recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia.  States that recognize Tennessee firearms licenses: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont. http://www.state.tn.us/safety/
 
Texas: The State of Texas recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee.  States that recognize Texas firearms licenses: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/reciprocity.htm
 
Utah: The State of Utah recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.  States that recognize Utah firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, Wyoming. Utah will honor any permit issued by another state or county for 60 consecutive days.  http://www.bci.state.ut.us/
 
Vermont:  The State of Vermont does not issue weapons/firearms licenses but allows carrying of concealed firearms if there is no intent to commit a crime. Therefore, residents from Vermont do not have the right to carry their concealed weapons/firearms in Connecticut or other states, while all citizens do have that right in Vermont.
 
Virginia:  The State of Virginia recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia.  States that recognize Virginia firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Vermont. http://www.vsp.state.va.us/vsp.html
 
Washington: The State of Washington recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that recognize Washington firearms licenses: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Virginia. http://www.wa.gov/wsp/wsphome.htm
 
West Virginia: The State of Washington recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Kentucky, Virginia. States that recognize Washington firearms licenses: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah, Virginia, Vermont. www.wvstatepolice.com/legal/legal.shtml
 
Wisconsin: The State of Wisconsin recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: None. States that recognize Wisconsin firearms licenses: None. http://www.doj.state.wi.us/
 
Wyoming: The State of Wyoming recognizes permits to carry concealed from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah. States that recognize Wyoming firearms licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont. http://www.state.wy.us/~ag/index.html
 
Updated 06/02: