OLR Report 2013-R-0241 gives a brief explanation of the assault weapons ban and a list of weapons subject to the ban.
With minor exceptions, state law prohibits giving an assault weapon to anyone; distributing, transporting, or importing an assault weapon; or keeping, offering, or exposing any such weapon for sale. It also, with minor exceptions, prohibits possession of an assault weapon unless the owner lawfully possessed the weapon before the ban took effect and obtained a certificate of possession from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) for it (in effect, registered the weapon).
The law defines an “assault weapon” as (1) a selective-fire firearm capable of fully automatic, semiautomatic, or burst fire at the user's option; (2) any of more than 150 named semiautomatic firearms, including semiautomatic centerfire rifles and semiautomatic pistols (see Appendix 1); (3) a semiautomatic firearm that has certain features; and (4) a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
The definition of an “assault weapon” includes any part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon or any combination of parts from which one may be rapidly assembled if possessed or controlled by the same person. It does not include (1) firearms rendered permanently inoperable or (2) unassembled parts or combination of parts possessed by a licensed gun dealer or gunsmith he or she employs for repairing or servicing a lawfully possessed weapon.
For more information, read the full report.
