Connecticut Gun Trust / NFA Trust

CONNECTICUT GUN TRUST / NFA TRUST

CRITICAL JURISDICTIONAL NOTICE — READ BEFORE PROCEEDING

Connecticut firearms law is highly restrictive. This Trust elects to require registration of silencers, SBRs, and SBSs as an internal safeguard; current ATF nonenforcement does not decide their Connecticut status:

Item	Connecticut Status	Authority
Silencer / Suppressor	§ 53a-211 requires a federal or state permission route; verify that the Trust and possessor qualify	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-211(b)
Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR)	Verify Connecticut firearms and assault-weapon restrictions independently; registration is this Trust's policy	§ 53-202a; ATF guidance
Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS)	§ 53a-211 applies to a shotgun below its stated barrel or overall length; verify a federal or state permission route	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-211(b)
Machine Gun	State registration under § 53-202(g) and an applicable federal NFA route required	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202
Destructive Devices (DDs)	Confirm an item-specific state and federal route before possession or transfer	Separate legal review required
Assault Weapons	Possession generally prohibited (Class D felony), subject to the statutory exceptions and certificate routes	§§ 53-202a, 53-202c, 53-202d
Large-Capacity Magazines (>10 rounds)	Restricted; possession or death transfer requires a valid § 53-202x declaration or another statutory exception	§ 53-202w
Firearms without serial numbers	Possession restricted; § 29-36a provides declaration and serialization routes, with narrow transfer exceptions	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-36a(c)

Federal NFA registration alone does NOT excuse compliance with Connecticut's assault-weapons ban, magazine cap, or state registration requirements. ATF's October 9, 2026 guidance says it will not enforce NFA application, approval, registration, or tax-stamp provisions for domestic suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs; it continues to accept voluntary registrations. ATF cautions that this policy does not determine whether an unregistered item satisfies state law. Machineguns and destructive devices remain subject to the full NFA requirements.

Permit / Eligibility Requirement. Before receiving a handgun or long gun, each recipient must present a qualifying credential under § 29-33(b) or § 29-37a(c), respectively. A pistol permit or pistol eligibility certificate can also qualify for long-gun receipt; a separate long-gun certificate is not always needed. Before buying ammunition, present one qualifying credential under § 29-38m(c), which may be an ammunition certificate. These transaction rules do not themselves require a permit merely to possess a lawfully held firearm.

Recommended actions before execution:

1. Verify every scheduled firearm against the current § 53-202a definition (named list + features test).
2. Confirm current DESPP machine-gun registration under § 53-202(g), including the annual renewal, and the applicable federal NFA route.
3. Confirm a qualifying § 53-202x declaration for any large-capacity magazine and a permitted possession or death-transfer route under § 53-202w.
4. Obtain CLEO notice / fingerprints / photographs for each Responsible Person under ATF 41F.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Declaration of Trust
2. Definitions
3. Connecticut State-Law Compliance Acknowledgment
4. Trust Property
5. Trustee Powers and Duties
6. Co-Trustees and Responsible Persons (ATF 41F)
7. Connecticut Permits and Eligibility Certificates
8. Beneficiary Provisions
9. Successor Trustee
10. Federal NFA Compliance
11. Storage, Transportation, and Records
12. Amendment and Revocation
13. Distribution Upon Death of Settlor
14. Signatures and Notarization
15. Schedule A — Trust Firearms
16. Schedule B — Responsible Persons
17. Schedule C — Large-Capacity Magazine Declarations

1. DECLARATION OF TRUST

Trust Name: [________________________________________]

Date of Execution: [__/__/____]

I, [SETTLOR FULL LEGAL NAME], residing at [________________________________________], City/Town of [________________], County of [________________], State of Connecticut, hereby declare and establish this revocable inter vivos trust (the "Trust") under the Connecticut Uniform Trust Code, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499a et seq., for the purpose of acquiring, holding, managing, and lawfully transferring firearms in compliance with both federal law (including 26 U.S.C. Ch. 53) and Connecticut law (including Conn. Gen. Stat. Title 29 and Title 53/53a), and for facilitating orderly succession of such firearms upon the Settlor's death.

2. DEFINITIONS

"Firearm" means any sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or other weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(19).

"NFA Item" means any firearm regulated under 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841–5872, including suppressors (silencers), short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns, destructive devices (DDs), and any other weapons (AOWs), each as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845.

"Assault Weapon" means a firearm meeting a category in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a, including specified named firearms and copies or duplicates where the statute provides. The feature criteria differ by firearm type; for example, the detachable-magazine semiautomatic centerfire rifle category uses at least one listed feature, while one shotgun category requires both listed features.

"Large-Capacity Magazine" or "LCM" means any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has the capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202w.

"Pre-Ban Registered Firearm" means an assault weapon for which a Certificate of Possession was timely issued by DESPP. Machine-gun registration is a separate requirement under § 53-202(g).

"Declared LCM" means a large-capacity magazine covered by a valid declaration under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202x, including a timely declaration under its original January 1, 2014 deadline or its January 1, 2024 reopening.

"Prohibited Person" means any individual prohibited from possessing firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) or disqualified under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(b), § 29-36f(b), § 29-37p(b), or § 53a-217, including persons convicted of any felony or qualifying misdemeanor, persons subject to a domestic-violence protective order, persons subject to a risk protection order under § 29-38c, persons with disqualifying mental health history, and other enumerated categories.

"Responsible Person" means an individual who possesses, directly or indirectly, the power or authority to direct the Trust's management and policies insofar as they pertain to firearms, including authority to receive, possess, ship, transport, deliver, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a firearm for or on behalf of the Trust. Under 27 C.F.R. § 479.11, a settlor/grantor, trustee, beneficiary, or other person is included only when the individual has the relevant power or authority; title alone is not conclusive.

"DESPP" means the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

"SLFU" means the DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.

"ATF" means the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

3. CONNECTICUT STATE-LAW COMPLIANCE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Settlor, each Trustee, each Co-Trustee, and each beneficiary, by accepting any interest under or position with respect to this Trust, expressly acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) No Assault Weapon shall be acquired, manufactured, transferred to, or possessed by this Trust other than a Pre-Ban Registered Firearm for which a valid DESPP Certificate of Possession is on file;

(b) No Large-Capacity Magazine shall be acquired, manufactured, transferred to, or possessed by this Trust except through a route permitted by Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202w and 53-202x. A declared magazine may pass to this Trust or from it to a beneficiary upon the Settlor's death under § 53-202w(f)(1); possession by the Trustee is subject to § 53-202w(e)(5) and any Probate Court disposition. Follow § 53-202x(f) location, transport, and loading limits;

(c) No Machine Gun shall be acquired or transferred to this Trust unless the transaction complies with the federal NFA and the machine gun is registered with DESPP within twenty-four hours after acquisition and annually on July 1 under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202(g);

(d) As an internal condition of this Trust, no silencer, SBR, or SBS shall be possessed by the Trust without valid federal NFA registration under 26 U.S.C. § 5841. This chosen safeguard does not represent a claim that ATF currently enforces Form 1 or Form 4 filing for every such item. For silencers and sawed-off shotguns, verify separately that the Trust and each possessor qualify for the exception in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-211(b);

(e) Federal NFA registration is not a defense to Connecticut's assault weapons ban, magazine cap, or machine-gun registration requirement;

(f) No "ghost gun," unfinished frame/receiver, or untraceable firearm shall be acquired, assembled, or transferred by the Trust except in compliance with Public Act 23-53 and applicable federal law;

(g) Before receiving a trust firearm or purchasing ammunition, each Trustee and Responsible Person residing in Connecticut shall present any credential required for that transaction under Section 7. This Trust separately requires eligibility screening before allowing access.

☐ Settlor acknowledges and agrees
☐ Each Trustee acknowledges and agrees
☐ Each Co-Trustee acknowledges and agrees

4. TRUST PROPERTY

All firearms transferred to this Trust are identified on Schedule A (attached and incorporated). The Settlor may add or remove items at any time during the Settlor's lifetime, without formal amendment, by updating Schedule A in writing — provided that every addition shall first be verified for Connecticut lawfulness against Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202, 53-202a, 53-202w, 53a-211, and Public Act 23-53.

☐ Each item on Schedule A is lawful under federal law and Connecticut law
☐ For any Pre-Ban Registered Firearm, the DESPP Certificate of Possession is attached
☐ For any Machine Gun, current DESPP registration and federal NFA documentation are attached
☐ For any silencer, SBR, or SBS, the federal NFA registration accepted under this Trust's policy is documented
☐ For any Declared LCM, the DESPP magazine declaration is attached as Schedule C
☐ The Trustee will present a qualifying credential before any handgun or long-gun receipt

5. TRUSTEE POWERS AND DUTIES

Initial Trustee: [________________________________________]

The Trustee shall have the general and specific powers provided by Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-499mmm and 45a-499nnn, subject to the Trust instrument and applicable firearms law, and in addition shall:

(a) Acquire, possess, use, transport, and lawfully transfer firearms on behalf of the Trust, in compliance with all federal, Connecticut, and municipal laws;

(b) Before purchasing or receiving a firearm, present the qualifying credential under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-33(b) for a handgun or § 29-37a(c) for a long gun;

(c) For ammunition purchases, present a qualifying permit or eligibility certificate listed in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38m(c), or an ammunition certificate issued under § 29-38n with the required identification;

(d) For machineguns and destructive devices, use the required ATF application and approval route. For silencers, SBRs, and SBSs, pursue voluntary registration under this Trust's chosen policy and current ATF instructions. Submit Form 5320.23, fingerprints, and photographs for each Responsible Person when an application requires them;

(e) When a Form 1 or Form 4 application is filed, provide any required CLEO notification under 27 C.F.R. §§ 479.62(c) and 479.84(c) for each Responsible Person;

(f) Obtain ATF authorization before interstate or foreign transport when required for a destructive device, machinegun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) and 27 C.F.R. § 478.28. ATF Form 5320.20 may be used. This federal preauthorization rule does not list silencers or AOWs, but destination law and transfer rules still apply;

(g) Verify, prior to any acquisition, that the firearm is not an Assault Weapon under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202a (apply both the named-list and the features test);

(h) Verify, prior to any acquisition, that no magazine shipped or transferred with the firearm is a non-Declared LCM;

(i) Maintain accurate records of all acquisitions, dispositions, repairs, modifications, tax stamps, ATF approvals, DESPP certificates, and permit numbers for not less than twenty (20) years;

(j) Discharge the trustee duties of loyalty and prudent administration under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-499bbb and 45a-499ddd.

6. CO-TRUSTEES AND RESPONSIBLE PERSONS (ATF 41F)

The following roster records Co-Trustees. Under 27 C.F.R. § 479.11, a Co-Trustee is a Responsible Person only to the extent the individual actually possesses the firearm-related power or authority described in that section; listing a person here does not itself authorize possession or use:

For each Responsible Person, the Trustee shall:

☐ Verify the individual is not a Prohibited Person under federal or Connecticut law
☐ Verify Connecticut permit/certificate eligibility (Pistol Permit, Pistol Eligibility Certificate, OR Long Gun Eligibility Certificate)
☐ Verify Ammunition Eligibility Certificate where applicable
☐ When required by a pending Trust Form 1 or Form 4 application: Obtain completed ATF Form 5320.23
☐ When an application requires them: collect the required fingerprints and a current photograph
☐ When required by a pending Trust Form 1 or Form 4 application: Submit copies of Form 5320.23 to the CLEO (chief of police) for the Responsible Person's municipality
☐ Submit required originals to ATF with any NFA application filed for the Trust
☐ Record the addition on Schedule B

7. CONNECTICUT PERMITS AND ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATES

For a Connecticut transaction, the recipient or buyer shall present the credential required for that firearm or ammunition purchase or receipt. These statutes do not impose a general credential requirement solely for continued possession:

☐ Trustee credential number(s): [________________________________________]
☐ Co-Trustee credential number(s): [________________________________________]
☐ Each Responsible Person's credential recorded on Schedule B

8. BENEFICIARY PROVISIONS

Primary Beneficiary(ies):

Contingent Beneficiary(ies):

No beneficiary who is a Prohibited Person under federal or Connecticut law shall receive any firearm from this Trust. The Trustee shall verify eligibility (and applicable state credential) before distribution.

If a Connecticut beneficiary is not credentialed under § 29-28, § 29-36f, or § 29-37p, the Trustee shall hold the firearm in trust pending the beneficiary's credentialing, transfer through an FFL upon credentialing, or — if credentialing is not obtained — sell the firearm through a Connecticut FFL and distribute proceeds, or transfer to an alternate eligible beneficiary.

9. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE

If the initial Trustee is unable or unwilling to serve, the following shall serve in the order listed:

First Successor Trustee: [________________________________________]
Second Successor Trustee: [________________________________________]
Third Successor Trustee: [________________________________________]

Each Successor Trustee must:

(a) Be at least 21 years of age for handguns; § 29-37a(b)(1) sets an 18-year floor for ordinary retail long-gun transfers, while subsection (b)(2) sets 21 for specified semiautomatic centerfire rifles. Section 29-38m(b) sets 18 for ammunition sales;
(b) Not be a Prohibited Person under federal or Connecticut law;
(c) Present an applicable credential under § 29-33(b) or § 29-37a(c) before receiving a handgun or long gun;
(d) Include ATF Form 5320.23, FD-258 fingerprints, and a photograph with the next Trust Form 1 or Form 4 application when current ATF instructions require them;
(e) Accept the trusteeship in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499rr and the method stated in this Trust instrument.

10. FEDERAL NFA COMPLIANCE

For any NFA item lawfully held by the Trust, the Trustee shall complete and retain the applicable records. Machineguns and destructive devices remain subject to the full NFA application and approval requirements. ATF currently accepts voluntary registration of domestic silencers, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs; this Trust requires registration of the first three as its own condition:

☐ ATF Form 1 (making) — when required for the item or used for voluntary registration under this Trust's policy
☐ ATF Form 4 (transfer) — when required for the item or used for voluntary registration under this Trust's policy
☐ Before any post-death NFA distribution, check the current ATF process for the item, the Trust's registration condition, and Connecticut permission; obtain approval before transfer when required
☐ ATF Form 5320.20 (interstate transport) — required for SBR, SBS, machine gun, DD
☐ ATF Form 5320.23 (Responsible Person Questionnaire) — when required for an application filed by the Trust
☐ Required fingerprints and photographs — when an application calls for them
☐ CLEO notification copies — when a Form 1 or Form 4 application calls for them under 27 C.F.R. §§ 479.62(c) and 479.84(c)
☐ Retention of any issued tax stamps and approved forms with the corresponding firearm

11. STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION, AND RECORDS

(a) Storage. All trust firearms shall be stored unloaded, in a locked container, gun safe, or similarly secured place. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37i requires secure storage of a firearm kept on premises under a person's control unless it is carried on the person or close enough for ready retrieval; the duty is not limited to homes with minors or prohibited persons. Ammunition shall be stored separately where feasible.

(b) Transportation. Trust firearms shall be transported unloaded and in a fully enclosed case in compliance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38 (carrying in vehicle) and § 53-202f (assault weapon transport restrictions, where applicable to Pre-Ban Registered Firearms). Carry copies of federal NFA registration documents when issued for the item.

(c) Obtain ATF authorization before interstate or foreign transport when required for a destructive device, machinegun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) and 27 C.F.R. § 478.28. ATF Form 5320.20 may be used. This federal preauthorization rule does not list silencers or AOWs, but destination law and transfer rules still apply;

(d) Records. The Trustee shall maintain permanent records of: (i) acquisition (date, dealer, FFL, FA number, ATF approval); (ii) disposition (date, transferee, FFL, ATF approval); (iii) maintenance/modification; and (iv) loss/theft (report to the local police department, or the state police troop if the town has no local department, within 72 hours after discovery under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202g; check any separate federal reporting duty).

12. AMENDMENT AND REVOCATION

The Settlor reserves the right to amend or revoke this Trust during the Settlor's lifetime as provided by the Trust instrument and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499oo. For an instrument executed before January 1, 2020, counsel must confirm the governing amendment and revocation rules because § 45a-499oo contains a pre-2020 exception. Amendment or revocation shall be in writing, signed by the Settlor, and delivered to each then-serving Trustee. Upon revocation, the Trustee shall return firearms to the Settlor only through a transfer route that complies with all applicable federal NFA and Connecticut requirements.

13. DISTRIBUTION UPON DEATH OF SETTLOR

Upon the death of the Settlor, the Trustee shall:

(a) Inventory all trust firearms within [thirty (30)] days as a Trust-administration target. If the formerly revocable Trust becomes irrevocable at the Settlor's death and § 45a-499kkk applies, provide the notice required by § 45a-499kkk(b)(3) within sixty days after the Trustee acquires knowledge of the event and provide reports under § 45a-499kkk(c) to the persons entitled to them;

(b) Verify each beneficiary's eligibility under federal law and (if Connecticut-resident) under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28, § 29-36f, or § 29-37p, as applicable;

(c) For pistols/revolvers transferred to a Connecticut beneficiary, complete a sale/transfer record (DPS-3-C) through DESPP and obtain a Firearms Sales Authorization Number per Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-33;

(d) For long guns transferred to a Connecticut beneficiary, complete a § 29-37a sale/transfer record;

(e) For Title I firearms transferred to an out-of-state beneficiary, ship through an FFL in the beneficiary's state of residence per 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(3);

(f) For each NFA firearm proposed for distribution after death, obtain current ATF guidance on the item-specific transfer route. Machineguns and destructive devices remain subject to the full NFA approval process. For a silencer, SBR, or SBS, confirm how the Trust's chosen registration condition and Connecticut law apply to the recipient before distribution. Use Form 5 only if ATF confirms an estate or operation-of-law tax exemption; otherwise use the applicable current process;

(g) For any registered assault weapon, confirm that the certificate and proposed death transfer qualify under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202b(b)(3) and 53-202d, including the recipient’s eligibility to possess it;

(h) For any Machine Gun, confirm that the proposed transfer complies with the federal NFA and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202; the acquirer must meet § 53-202(g) registration duties;

(i) If any item cannot be lawfully transferred to a beneficiary, sell through a Connecticut FFL (or, for items lawful only in another state, a permissive-state FFL/SOT) and distribute proceeds, or surrender to ATF/DESPP;

(j) Retain all ATF approval documents, tax stamps, Form 5 approvals, DESPP certificates, and permit records permanently.

14. SIGNATURES AND NOTARIZATION

SETTLOR:

Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

INITIAL TRUSTEE (if different from Settlor):

Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

CO-TRUSTEE(S):

Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

NOTARIZATION

State of Connecticut
County of [________________]

On this [____] day of [____________], 20[____], before me personally appeared [________________________________________], who is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the individual whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he/she executed the same as his/her free act and deed for the purposes therein stated.

Notary Signature: ________________________________________
Printed Notary Name: [________________________________________]
My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

SCHEDULE A — TRUST FIREARMS

SCHEDULE B — RESPONSIBLE PERSONS

SCHEDULE C — LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE DECLARATIONS

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841–5872 — National Firearms Act
• 27 C.F.R. Part 479 — NFA implementing regulations
• ATF Final Rule 41F, 81 Fed. Reg. 2658 (Jan. 15, 2016), eff. July 13, 2016
• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — Federal prohibited persons
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202 — Machine guns; DESPP Special Licensee Unit registration
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202a–c — Assault weapons (1993 list + 2013 Public Act 13-3 expansion)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202d — Certificate of Possession for pre-ban assault weapons
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202e — Relinquishment of assault weapon to law enforcement
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-202w, 53-202x — Large-capacity magazine ban and declaration
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-211 — Sawed-off shotgun and silencer possession; exception for persons licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law
• ATF Update to NFA Transfer Guidance (Oct. 9, 2026) — Nonenforcement for domestic silencers, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs; voluntary registration remains available
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28 — Permit to Carry Pistol or Revolver
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-36f to 29-36i — Pistol/Revolver Eligibility Certificate
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37a, § 29-37p — Long Gun Eligibility Certificate
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-37i — Safe storage of firearms
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38m and 29-38n — ammunition sales credentials and ammunition certificate
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c — Risk protection / firearms seizure orders
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499a et seq. — Connecticut Uniform Trust Code
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-499bbb, 45a-499ddd — Trustee duties of loyalty and prudent administration
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-499mmm, 45a-499nnn — General and specific powers of trustee
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499oo — Revocation or amendment of revocable trust
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499rr — Accepting or declining trusteeship
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499kkk — Trustee duty to inform and report
• Public Act 23-53 (2023) — Ghost-gun and untraceable-firearm reforms
• Nat'l Ass'n for Gun Rights v. Lamont, 2d Cir. 2025 (upholding Connecticut assault weapons ban)
• DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, 1111 Country Club Rd, Middletown, CT 06457; 860-685-8290; [email protected]

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Connecticut imposes severe restrictions on assault weapons, machine guns, and large-capacity magazines. This Trust requires registration of silencers, SBRs, and SBSs as its own condition; confirm the separate Connecticut permission route before acquisition or possession. Consult a licensed Connecticut firearms attorney before execution.