Most people think of BB guns, pellet guns, and air rifles as harmless toys. I hear it all the time: “It’s just a pellet gun, not a real firearm — how could it be illegal?”Unfortunately, Connecticut law doesn’t see it that way.
These devices may look and feel less dangerous than a Glock or a hunting rifle, but the law often treats them the same way. Carrying one in your car, displaying one in public, or even just having one in your possession if you’re a convicted felon can all lead to serious criminal charges.
The statutes are written broadly, which gives police and prosecutors a lot of discretion. What you think of as “no big deal” can quickly escalate into a felony arrest, mandatory jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
This page explains exactly how Connecticut law treats BB guns, pellet guns, and air rifles — and why anyone carrying one of these items should be cautious.
How Connecticut Law Defines WeaponsConnecticut has several statutes that deal with firearms and dangerous weapons. While you won’t find “BB gun” listed by name, the courts have consistently ruled that these devices can qualify as deadly weapons or dangerous instrumentsdepending on their design and use.
What’s critical to understand is that the ability to fire a projectile is what matters most. Even though BB guns are not “firearms” under the strict statutory definition, police and prosecutors frequently treat them as deadly weapons if they can shoot any projectile. Injury potential is not required.
⚖️ Case Spotlight: State v. Carter(2024)
In State v. Carter, the Connecticut Supreme Court reviewed a case involving a Crosman Vigilante BB pistol. The gun was technically a BB gun, but it had been disabled — the chamber for the CO₂ cartridge was taped over, so it couldn’t actually fire.
The Court ruled that because the BB gun was inoperable, it did not qualify as a “deadly weapon” under Connecticut law in that specific case. The takeaway is important:
This case shows how fact-specific these charges are. Most of the time, if the BB gun looks real and can shoot a projectile, police and prosecutors will treat it as a firearm — and you could be facing a felony.
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon – C.G.S. § 53-206One of the most common statutes police use in BB gun cases is § 53-206, which prohibits carrying a dangerous weapon. Unlike the felon-in-possession statute, this applies to everyone, not just convicted felons.
The statute is vague by design. It lists specific prohibited weapons but also includes a catch-all for anything that can be classified as a “dangerous or deadly weapon.” That’s where BB guns, pellet guns, and air rifles often come in.
If you are walking down the street with a pellet pistol in your waistband, even if it’s unloaded, police can charge you under § 53-206. Prosecutors argue that the ability to fire any projectile — and the fact that these devices are often indistinguishable from real handguns — makes them dangerous weapons.
Penalty: Carrying a dangerous weapon is a Class E felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both.
BB Guns in Motor Vehicles – C.G.S. § 29-38Another trap is weapons in a motor vehicle. Under § 29-38, it is a Class D felony to knowingly have a deadly weapon in a motor vehicle. Courts and prosecutors interpret BB guns and pellet guns as “deadly weapons” in this context.
That means if you keep a BB gun in your glove box, center console, or trunk, you are risking felony charges. Even if you thought it was just a toy or intended it for target practice, once it’s inside a car, it falls under this statute.
Police discover these items most often during routine traffic stops. What starts as a speeding ticket can turn into a felony arrest if an officer sees a BB pistol in your backpack. From there, prosecutors often stack additional charges, such as breach of peace or threatening if the gun looked real or was displayed.
Felons and BB Guns – C.G.S. § 53a-217For anyone with a prior felony conviction, the stakes are even higher. Under § 53a-217, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. While BB guns are not “firearms” by statutory definition, Connecticut courts have, in some cases, treated them as firearms for purposes of this law.
This means that if you have a felony record and are caught with a pellet pistol at home, in your car, or even in your closet, you risk being charged with criminal possession of a firearm. The penalties are severe, including mandatory minimum jail time.
To make matters worse, prosecutors can stack charges:
One BB gun can lead to three separate felony charges.
Public Display and MisuseEven if you’re not a felon and the BB gun isn’t in your car, you can still land in serious trouble just by displaying it in public. Connecticut police treat every weapon as if it is real until proven otherwise. If you wave a BB pistol around in a park, school, or shopping center, you can expect a SWAT-style response.
Charges in these situations often include:
The bottom line: police and prosecutors will not care that it was “just a pellet gun.” If it looks like a gun and can fire a projectile, they will treat it like a firearm.
Defenses and Legal StrategiesWhile these cases are serious, they are not hopeless. An experienced defense lawyer can challenge the state’s case in several ways:
Every case is unique. Acting quickly and having a lawyer who knows how Connecticut courts treat BB gun cases is the best way to protect your future.
Realistic ExamplesYes, but with restrictions. Adults may own them, but minors under 16 cannot purchase or carry them without parental consent. Carrying them in public or in a car can lead to criminal charges.
2. Can a BB Gun Be Treated Like a Firearm?Technically, a firearm under Connecticut law must use gunpowder. But courts have frequently treated BB guns and pellet guns as deadly weapons— and sometimes as firearms in felon cases. In practice, police and prosecutors usually treat them as real guns.
3. What if the BB Gun Is Broken or Doesn’t Work?If it’s completely inoperable, it may not qualify as a deadly weapon. In State v. Carter, the court ruled that a disabled BB gun did not meet the definition. But if it can fire any projectile, prosecutors can treat it as a firearm or dangerous weapon.
4. What if the BB Gun Is in My Car?That’s a felony under § 29-38 (weapons in a motor vehicle). Even if you didn’t intend harm, prosecutors frequently bring this charge.
5. Do I Need a Permit for a BB Gun?No permit is required for BB guns. However, misuse, public display, or possession in a vehicle can still result in serious charges under Connecticut law.
6. What Happens if I’m a Felon Caught With a BB Gun?You can be charged under § 53a-217 for criminal possession of a firearm. Courts have, in some cases, applied this statute to BB guns, and it carries mandatory prison time.
7. Can Police Arrest Me if I Just Display a BB Gun?Yes. If someone feels threatened or alarmed, you can be charged with breach of peace, threatening, or carrying a dangerous weapon.
8. What Should I Do if I’ve Been Arrested With a BB Gun?Take it seriously. These cases are prosecuted like real gun crimes. The best step is to call a criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Call Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer TodayIf you’ve been arrested for possessing a BB gun, pellet gun, or air rifle in Connecticut — whether it was in your car, on your person, or at home with a prior record — you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. These charges can result in felony convictions, jail time, and long-term consequences.
📞 Call me today at (203) 357-5555 for a free consultation, or contact me online. I’ve been defending clients in Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, and across Fairfield County for over 30 years, and I know how to protect your future.