HB-5436 An Act Amending Certain Firearms Definitions and Concerning the Transfer of Large Capacity Magazines and Assault Weapons
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB-5436
To (1) amend certain definitions concerning firearms, and (2) allow the legal transfer of large capacity magazines possessed under a declaration of possession and assault weapons possessed under a certificate of possession between persons who are legally permitted to possess such magazine or weapon.
Introduced by:
Judiciary Committee
Text of Bill
Raised Bill [doc]
Bill History
3/2/2026 Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
Summary of changes/additions:
Sec. 1: In Section 53a-3 (Penal Code Definitions) of the 2026 supplement, change the firearm definition to the following. New text in bold:
(19) “Firearm” means any sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, major firearm component, unfinished frame or lower receiver, as defined in section 53-206j, as amended by this act, or other weapon, whether loaded or unloaded from which a shot may be discharged;
Add a new definition for “major firearm component”:
(26) “Major firearm component” means the barrel, slide or cylinder or frame or receiver of a firearm.
Sec. 2: In Subsection (i) of section 53-206j, change the following language.
Replace the following current language:
or machined body intended to be turned into the frame or lower receiver of a firearm, as defined in section 53a-3, with additional machining, and which has been formed or machined to the point where most major machining operations have been completed to turn the blank, casting or machined body into a frame or lower receiver of a firearm, even if the fire-control cavity area of such blank, casting or machined body is still completely solid and unmachined. An “unfinished frame or lower receiver” is not a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921(a), as amended from time to time
With this new language:
forging, printing, extrusion, machined body or similar item that (1) has reached a stage in manufacture where it may readily be completed, assembled or converted to be used as the frame or receiver of a functional firearm; or (2) is marketed or sold to the public to become or be used as the frame or receiver of a functional firearm once completed, assembled or converted.
Sec. 3: Subsection (c) of section 53-206g of the 2026 supplement, add more language to the rate of fire enhancement section.
New language:
(4) includes a trigger that forcibly resets into the firing position after each round is fired, such as a forced reset trigger; (5) applies force to a firearm’s trigger bar to prevent the trigger bar from limiting the firearm to firing only one round each time the trigger is depressed, such as an auto-sear; or (6) is unnecessary for the function of a firearm and that, when built into, installed in or attached to a firearm, increases the rate of fire above the rate at which a person could otherwise fire such firearm.
Sec. 4: Section 53-202w, add language to allow the transfer of a large capacity magazine to/from those specified in the statute.
New language:
(5) The transfer of a large capacity magazine within this state between any of the persons specified in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of subsection (e) of this section.
Sec. 5: Section 53-202d, add language to allow the transfer of an assault weapon to/from those specified in the statute. Several text additions are proposed. It does so by adding the following/or similar language to several sections of 53-202d:
or as provided in subsection (g) of section 53-202f, as amended by this act,
Sec. 6: Section 53-202f, adds new subsection (g) indicating assault weapons can be transferred between persons indicated, it does not appear to allow new sales, just transfers between persons who already have a registered assault weapon (certificate of possession):
(g) (1) Any licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of this section, may take possession of any assault weapon from any person to whom has been issued a certificate of possession for such weapon pursuant to sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, for purposes of transferring such assault weapon to another person pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(2) Any licensed gun dealer may transfer possession of any assault weapon received pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to a person who lawfully possesses another assault weapon and to whom has previously been issued a certificate of possession for such weapon pursuant to sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive.
Section Effective Dates:
Sections 1, 2 and 3 are proposed to go into effect October 1, 2026. Sections 4, 5 and 6 are proposed to go into effect July 1, 2026.