Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
Concealment is not an issue.
Schools:
There is a prohibition for the possession of firearms and dangerous weapons on school grounds.
Critical Dimensions:
One-and-a-half inch maximum blade length for "automatic" or "switchblade" type knives. Four inches in length of edged portion of a blade of knife that can be legally carried.
The Constitution of the State of Connecticut, and in particular, § 15, concisely states:
Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the State.
Connecticut Con st., Article 1, § 15
The Connecticut statutes regarding weapons and knives may be found at Title 53 (Crimes), and in particular, Chapter 943, captioned Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety. Hitchhiking is among the various offenses found in this particular category.
Forbidden:
There are no forbidden or prohibited knives under Connecticut statutory law.
Sale/Transfer:
There are no applicable prohibitions.
Concealment/Carrying:
Concealment is not an issue. The same provisions apply regardless of whether the knife is carried concealed or openly.
§ 53-206. Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited
Any person who carries upon his or her person any BB. Gun, blackjack, metal or brass knuckles, or any dirk knife, or any switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which a blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches in length, or stiletto, or any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or more in length…
There are various exceptions in subpart (b), which exempt persons traveling between a home and a person’s place of business. The same section also establishes exceptions for hunting, fishing, trapping, participation in events sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America and/or the Girl Scouts of America, among other exceptions. And added in 2016 – 6) any person having a dirk knife or police baton in a vehicle while lawfully moving such person’s household goods or effects from one place to another, or from one residence to another.
It should be noted that the Connecticut statute refers to the length of the “edged portion” of the blade. This measurement may differ from the blade length measurement if the AKTI protocol for measuring blade length is used. When in Connecticut, use the Connecticut rule and avoid carrying a knife with a blade that measures four inches or longer.
Critical Dimensions:
One-and-a-half inch maximum blade length for “automatic” or “switchblade” type knives.
Four inches in length of edged portion of a blade of knife that can be legally carried.
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Schools:
There is a prohibition for the possession of firearms and dangerous weapons on school grounds.
See Also:
State of Connecticut v. DeCiccio
315 Conn. 79 (2014)
Decided: December 23, 2014
The right to transport knives as a corollary right to a right of self-defense.