Connecticut prohibits any person from possessing a firearm, knowing that he or she is not licensed or privileged to do so: 1) in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school; or 2) at a school-sponsored activity.¹

This prohibition does not apply to gun possession:

• For use in a program approved by school officials in or on school property or at the school-sponsored activity;

• In accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and the possessor or the possessor’s employer; or

• While traversing school property for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided the firearm is not loaded and the entry on school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education.²

Connecticut requires expulsion hearings for any student who: 1) possessed a firearm on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity; 2) possessed a firearm off school grounds in violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35 (carrying a handgun without a permit); or 3) possessed and used a firearm in the commission of a crime.³ If found to have possessed and/or used a firearm, the pupil will be expelled for one calendar year. The board of education or the hearing board may modify the period of expulsion for a pupil on a case-by-case basis.⁴

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1. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217b(a).[↩]
2. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217b(b).[↩]
3. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233d(a)(2).[↩]
4. Id.[↩]