Signed by Governor Ned Lamont

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that prohibits unattended firearms from being stored in unlocked vehicles.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the storage of any pistol or revolver in an unattended motor vehicle unless it is in the trunk, a locked safe, or a locked glove box (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that “trunk” does not include the rear of a hatchback, station-wagon, or sport utility vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of the aforementioned highlights do not apply to any weapon that is stored in accordance with an issuing or possessing public agency, department, municipality, organization, force, or entity (Sec. 1). 

• Classifies the violation of the aforementioned highlights as a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class D felony for any subsequent offense (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the court to order a suspension of prosecution if it finds that a violation of this section is not of serious nature, that the person charged is unlikely to offend in the future, and that the person has not previously been convicted of such violation (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a suspension of prosecution for this violation may still carry a period of probation for up to 2 years, after which time the charges may be dismissed (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that prohibits unattended firearms from being stored in unlocked vehicles.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the storage of any pistol or revolver in an unattended motor vehicle unless it is in the trunk, a locked safe, or a locked glove box (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that “trunk” does not include the rear of a hatchback, station-wagon, or sport utility vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of the aforementioned highlights do not apply to any weapon that is stored in accordance with an issuing or possessing public agency, department, municipality, organization, force, or entity (Sec. 1). 

• Classifies the violation of the aforementioned highlights as a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class D felony for any subsequent offense (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the court to order a suspension of prosecution if it finds that a violation of this section is not of serious nature, that the person charged is unlikely to offend in the future, and that the person has not previously been convicted of such violation (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a suspension of prosecution for this violation may still carry a period of probation for up to 2 years, after which time the charges may be dismissed (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text