CT HB06598

A warrant may be issued by a Superior Court judge upon complaint by a state's attorney or two police officers if there is probable cause that a person poses imminent risk of personal injury to themselves or others and possesses firearms.

The judge shall consider recent threats, acts of violence, acts of cruelty to animals, reckless firearm use, history of physical force, prior involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, and substance abuse or alcohol abuse when determining probable cause.

Within 14 days of warrant execution, the court must hold a hearing where the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the person poses imminent risk; if proven, seized firearms may be held for up to one year, otherwise they must be returned.

A person whose firearms are seized may transfer them to an eligible person in accordance with state or federal law, with the state agency required to deliver transferred firearms within 10 days of written notification.

If no request for return is made within 60 days after the court-ordered holding period expires, the state agency may dispose of the firearms in any manner it deems appropriate without liability.