Connecticut Criminal Lawyer Blog
The Stop, the search, and your next move
In Connecticut, you need a Connecticut pistol permit to carry a handgun—other states’ permits don’t count here. Since October 1, 2023, open carry in public is banned (with narrow exceptions), while concealed carry is allowed if you have a valid CT permit. Guns in cars come with strict transport and storage rules, and many first-time arrests come down to whether the stop and search were lawful. This page breaks down what is actually charged, what the state must prove, and the defenses that work in the real world.
If you’re reading this because someone told you there’s a violation of probation against you, take a breath. You’re not the first person to be in this spot, and it’s fixable with the right plan. I see VOPs all the time in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Danbury, and throughout Connecticut. The biggest mistake people make is treating a VOP like a regular criminal case or assuming it will “work itself out.” It won’t. The rules are different, the burden of proof is lower, and a judge—not a jury—decides your fate. The good news is that we can often keep you on the street, protect your job and family, and avoid having your suspended time turn into actual jail time.
Why 
