If you own guns and you’ve just been arrested in Connecticut, the fear hits fast:
“Are they going to take my guns?”
“Is my pistol permit gone for good?”
“Am I ever going to be able to own a firearm again?”
Take a breath.
I sit across from gun owners in this exact situation all the time. Many are law-abiding, hard-working people who’ve never been in trouble before. One incident, one argument, or one traffic stop turns into an arrest, and suddenly, they’re terrified of losing their gun rights forever.
This guide explains, in plain English, what can happen to your guns and your permit after an arrest in Connecticut—both immediately and over the long term—and what you can do to protect yourself.
Arrest vs. Conviction: Why It Matters to Your Gun Rights
First things first: an arrest is not a conviction. An arrest means you’ve been charged, not that you’re guilty. A conviction (a guilty plea or a finding of guilt) is what usually triggers the most serious, long-term gun disqualifications.
That said, you can feel the impact of an arrest right away—especially if you hold a pistol permit or the allegations involve violence, threats, or firearms. You’re presumed innocent, but you still need to be smart from day one because how the case is handled can decide whether you ever legally own or carry a firearm again.
What Can Happen to Your Guns Immediately After an Arrest
Police can seize firearms. If police respond to a domestic dispute, a weapons complaint, or any situation where guns might be involved, they may seize firearms as evidence or for “safekeeping.” In some situations, they may also seek a court order to remove firearms based on alleged dangerousness.
Your pistol permit can be suspended or revoked. An arrest—especially for family violence, threatening, assault, stalking/harassment, or any gun-related offense—can trigger a temporary suspension while the case is pending and potentially a revocation if the authority decides you’re no longer “suitable.” You have the right to a hearing, but it takes planning and time.
Protective orders can limit access to firearms. In many domestic violence cases, the court issues a protective order at arraignment. On all three levels of orders of protection, you have to surrender all weapons and ammunition and turn in your pistol permit. Violating a protective order—particularly where firearms are involved—can lead to new felony charges and make things much worse.
How a Conviction Can Affect Your Gun Rights Long-Term
The long-term consequences usually flow from the final outcome of your case, not the arrest alone. Certain convictions can:
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Permanently bar you from possessing firearms under state or federal law
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Disqualifies you from obtaining/keeping a pistol permit
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Cause you to fail background checks for future purchases
Cases that are especially dangerous for gun owners include felonies, domestic-violence-related misdemeanors, and offenses involving guns, threats, or protective orders. Federal law has its own disqualifiers as well, so a “quick plea” to the wrong charge can quietly become a lifetime ban. Get advice before you plead to anything.
Domestic Violence, Protective Orders, and Gun Ownership
For gun owners, a domestic violence arrest is one of the biggest risks to firearm rights. You will almost always face some form of protective order at arraignment, and the strictest orders require immediate surrender of guns and permits. Certain DV-related pleas can trigger state and federal bans—even if the charge sounds minor or didn’t involve a firearm.
The outcome of a DV case can determine whether you ever legally own a gun again. Strategy must consider not just “avoiding jail,” but avoiding disqualifying convictions/enhancements and structuring resolutions that protect both your record and your rights whenever possible.
Red Flag Orders: When the State Says You’re Too Dangerous to Have Guns
Connecticut’s “red flag” a/k/a “risk Protection Order RPO) framework allows the State to ask a judge to remove your firearms if they claim you pose a risk. In practice:
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Police respond to a call/arrest/mental-health situation.
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The State seeks a red flag order; your guns are seized.
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The issue is then heard in criminal court at a “red flag” hearing. If an order is issued and kept in place, your guns can be held for up to a year, which can be extended if the court finds a continued risk. , and you may be blocked from buying/possessing new ones while it remains active. You do have the right to petition he court to return your weapons after 180 days if you can demonstrate that they can also be used against you when authorities assess whether you’re “suitable” to hold a permit later. This is a separate legal fight you need to take seriously.
Diversionary Programs & Dismissals: Do Rights Bounce Back?
A frequent question: “If my case is dismissed, do my gun rights automatically return?”
It depends.
Diversionary programs (like Accelerated Rehabilitation) can end with a dismissal and erasure, which is often very helpful. But if your permit was revoked on “suitability” grounds, you may still need to fight for reinstatement. Protective orders, red flag orders, and administrative actions can leave a paper trail that needs cleanup even after dismissal. Plan your gun-rights strategy from day one, not after the case closes.
Can You Ever Get Your Gun Rights Back?
In some situations, yes. Options can include seeking pardons/erasure, challenging a permit revocation administratively, and requesting review or modification of certain court orders after time has passed and you’ve shown stability and compliance. These are slow, technical processes. The better path is to protect your rights up front by resolving the criminal case in a way that avoids disqualifying outcomes whenever possible.
How a Connecticut Criminal Lawyer Can Protect Your Gun Rights
When I represent gun owners, I track two lanes at once:
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The criminal case: avoid jail and protect your record.
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Your gun rights/permit status: minimize the chance of a permanent prohibition.
That means pushing back on overcharging, negotiating resolutions that avoid disqualifying convictions where possible, coordinating the criminal case with any permit or red flag issues, and making sure you understand what you can and cannot do with firearms while the case is pending—so you don’t accidentally pick up new charges.
If you own or may one day want to own firearms, don’t plead just to “get it over with” without understanding the firearm consequences. Once that bell is rung, it’s often impossible to un-ring it.
FAQs: Gun Rights After a Connecticut Arrest
1) Will the police automatically take my guns if I’m arrested?
Not always, but if the case involves alleged violence, threats, DV, or firearms, police often seize guns on scene or later via court order. Don’t move, transfer, or hide firearms without legal advice—those choices can create new charges.
2) Can I keep my guns at a friend’s or family member’s house while my case is pending?
Sometimes, lawful third-party storage is possible—but it depends on court orders, permit status, and any risk orders. If there’s a protective order or gun-related release condition, moving guns on your own can be a serious violation. Ask a lawyer first.
3) What if my spouse or roommate owns the guns, not me?
Even if the guns are someone else’s, a protective or risk-type order can require no firearms in the home you live in. Often, the safest solution is temporary removal/storage outside the shared residence—coordinated carefully to avoid new problems.
4) If my case gets dismissed, do I automatically pass background checks again?
Not necessarily. A dismissal helps, but you may still need to address permit records, red flag orders, or administrative entries. In some cases, you’ll need documentation and reinstatement steps.
5) Can I ever get my gun rights back after a felony?
Sometimes, via pardons/erasure and administrative appeals, subject to federal limits. Every case is different. The sooner you get advice—ideally before any plea—the better your chances.
6) Do I really need a lawyer if I just want “no jail”?
They say that “he who represents himself (herself) has a fool for a client. If you own or ever want to own firearms, you should care about more than jail. A quick plea to the wrong charge can quietly become a lifetime gun ban. Good counsel will look at jail, record, immigration, employment, and gun rights together.
Take Action Now — Talk to a Connecticut Criminal Lawyer Who Understands Gun Rights
If you’re a gun owner who’s been arrested anywhere in Connecticut, you can’t afford to guess about your firearm rights. The way your case is handled in the next few weeks can make the difference between moving on or losing your guns and permit for years—or permanently.
I’ve been defending people in Connecticut courts for over 30 years. I understand how criminal charges, protective orders, pistol permits, and gun laws interact—and I’ll explain your options in plain English.
Call Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer today at (203) 357-5555 or visit my Contact page to get started. Let’s protect your rights now so you don’t face surprises later.