New Connecticut Law May Address Gun Permits and Liability

 Posted on May 16, 2025 in Weapons Offenses

Due to concerns about gun violence, lawmakers are looking to implement new laws to address the illegal possession and use of firearms. The Connecticut legislature is currently considering a law that would place new restrictions on gun permits for certain people, while also allowing for lawsuits against gun manufacturers and others in the firearms industry. Gun owners and people who manufacture, distribute, or sell firearms may be affected by this new law.

As new laws are passed, increased scrutiny may be placed on people who own and use firearms, and some people may face weapons charges based on their possession or use of firearms or ammunition. These laws may also provide opportunities for people who have been affected by gun violence to address the harm they have suffered through personal injury lawsuits. For those who are facing criminal charges related to firearms or who need to understand their legal options as victims, representation from an experienced attorney is essential.

Civil Lawsuits Against Members of the Firearms Industry

The Connecticut House of Representatives recently passed a bill that is meant to help address gun violence in the state. HB 7042 is currently being considered by the state Senate, and if it becomes law, it will allow private citizens, municipalities, or the state’s attorney general to file civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers or others in the firearms industry. Lawmakers hope that this will ensure that manufacturers or others will be held responsible for their failure to take steps to protect the safety of the public.

Under this law, the firearm industry may include any people, companies, or organizations that are involved in manufacturing, distributing, importing, selling, or marketing firearms. Members of the firearm industry are required to use "reasonable controls" to ensure that their products will be used safely. This includes taking steps to prevent "straw purchases" or other forms of illegal firearm trafficking, as well as keeping guns out of the hands of people who are likely to use them to harm themselves or others. 

Manufacturers or other parties could also be held liable if they fail to take the proper steps to prevent the conversion of legal guns into illegal weapons. For example, manufacturers of "bump stocks," which may be used to convert semiautomatic weapons into automatic weapons, could be held responsible for the misuse of these products. Firearm parts used to manufacture "ghost guns" are also addressed by this law.

While some lawmakers have argued against the need for this law, claiming that criminals should be held responsible for their actions rather than product manufacturers, others have argued that these measures are necessary due to a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 that provided immunity to gun manufacturers. If this law passes, Connecticut will be the 10th state to put measures in place that will allow people or companies in the firearms industry to be held responsible for gun violence.

New Restrictions on Connecticut Gun Permits

HB 7042 also includes provisions that are meant to close a loophole that may allow certain people to obtain gun permits when they should be prohibited from doing so. Connecticut law does not allow permits to be issued to state residents who have been convicted of felonies or certain types of misdemeanors, including violent crimes involving injuries or threats or drug possession. However, people who had been convicted of these types of misdemeanors in other states may still be eligible for gun permits after moving to Connecticut.

If the law is passed, it will not allow people who have been convicted of qualifying misdemeanors in other states within the previous eight years to receive gun permits. This change could potentially lead to weapons charges for people who did not realize that they were ineligible for gun permits and were not allowed to possess firearms.

Contact Our Hartford Weapons Crimes Defense Lawyers

As the laws related to firearms and other weapons change, people who are affected will need to understand their rights and their legal options. They can do so with the help of a skilled Connecticut weapons charges attorney. At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, we can provide representation for people who are facing weapons charges, and we can also assist with personal injury cases in situations where people have suffered harm due to gun violence. To schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with our lawyers, contact us at 860-290-8690.