Sec.29-36m-11. Applications for eligibility certificates

(a) Who may apply. Any person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older may apply to the commissioner for an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver.

(b) Application procedure. The procedure for applying for an eligibility certificate shall be as follows:

(1) Application form. The applicant shall contact the department of public safety, division of state police, special licensing and firearms unit, to obtain the application for an eligibility certificate.

(2) Upon receipt of the request for an application for an eligibility certificate, the division of state police shall provide the applicant with the authorized department of public safety, division of state police, application form.

(3) The application for an eligibility certificate shall be made in writing, under oath, and shall be completed legibly and in its entirety and in accordance with the directions on the form. Post office boxes shall not be an acceptable form of address.

(4) The following shall be submitted with each completed application form:

(A) A complete set of fingerprints on forms specified and furnished by the commissioner, which fingerprints shall be taken by personnel at a municipal police department, a state police troop, or any resident state trooper's office.

(B) A color passport-type photograph, two inches (2") wide by two inches (2") high, showing a front view of the head and shoulders of the applicant with a plain, lightbackground, taken within six (6) months prior to the date of the application. This photograph may be taken by personnel at a state police troop or the department of public safety, division of state police, special licensing and firearms unit.

(C) An affidavit signed by an instructor certified by the state, the National Rifle Association or the Department of Environmental Protection stating that the applicant successfully completed a safety or training course in the use of pistols and revolvers. Such statement shall specify that the instructor was so certified at the time he taught the course and shall include the full name of the applicant, and the date, location and duration of the course.

(D) A fee in the amount of $35.00 for either an original certificate or a renewal.

(c) Application review. Upon receipt of an application for an eligibility certificate, the department of public safety, division of state police, special licensing and firearms unit, shall:

(1) Review the application for completeness;

(2) Complete national and state criminal history checks on the applicant; and

(3) Within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the national criminal history records check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, either approve the application and issue the eligibility certificate or deny the application and notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for the denial of the application.

(d) Time for approval. With respect to all applications for eligibility certificates filed on or before July 1, 1995, and within ninety (90) days of the filing of an application for an eligibility certificate filed after July 1, 1995, the commissioner shall either:

(1) Approve the application and issue the eligibility certificate; or

(2) Issue a temporary eligibility certificate; or

(3) Deny the application and notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for denial.

(e) Grounds for denial of certificate. No eligibility certificate shall be issued if the applicant:

(1) Has failed to successfully complete a course approved by the commissioner of public safety in the safety and use of pistols and revolvers including, but not limited to a safety or training course in the use of pistols and revolvers available to the public offered by a law enforcement agency, a private or public educational institution or a firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Environmental Protection or a safety or training course in the use of pistols or revolvers conducted by an instructor certified by the state or the National Rifle Association; or

(2) Has been convicted of a felony or a violation of subsection (c) of section 21a-279, section 53a-58, 53a-61, 53-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178, or 53a-181d of the Connecticut General Statutes; or

(3) Has been discharged from custody within the preceding twenty (20) years after having been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect pursuant to section 53a-13 of the Connecticut General Statutes; or

(4) Has been confined in a hospital for mental illness, as defined in section 17a-495 of the Connecticut General Statutes, within the preceding twelve (12) months by order of a probate court; or

(5) Knows that he is subject to a restraining or protective order issued by a court, after notice and an opportunity to be heard has been provided to such person, in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person; or

(6) Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States.

(Adopted effective September 26, 1995)