New to Airgunning in CT

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Airhead101

Airhead101

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Oct 26, 2020
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CT, United States
So I just went ahead and bought my first air rifle ever (an FX), I live in CT, and I don’t have much idea of what I need to know or where I can go to shoot.

I still have some stuff to do before I even get to go shoot (get a scope, etc), but I would love some insights from other CT airgunners about the laws around here for airguns first:

Since they’re not a firearm, do you need a carry/long gun permit for them in places other than your own property or no? (I’ve done a pistol safety course, but I don’t have a permit). If so, is it only in certain places and others you don’t? What do I need to know about transporting it in my vehicle, etc?

Any insights are most welcome, and thanks in advance!
 
Congrats on joining the airgun world. There are no state laws requiring you to have a permit for an airgun, but there are rules as far as what you can hunt, and when. If you’re strictly a paper guy or pointer, you’re fine. If you want to hunt, you will need a license just like you do with a firearm or bow, and sbide by local hunting laws and seasons. 
good luck!
 
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Welcome to the sport!

As a fellow CT resident the following is my understanding of the relevant laws on airguns (Of course, I may have slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night but I am not a lawyer, so this is not legal advice).

First of all, CT does not treat airguns as firearms, so no permit is required to purchase and travel with an Airgun. However common sense applies - it would not be a great idea to go walking down the Main Street of your town with youR FX Impact in your hands. Someone is gonna think that its an AR15 and call the cops, and I’m pretty sure you don’t need that hassle. Also, if you were to “use” your Airgun in the commission of a crime THEN you are screwed, because in that scenario it is treated as if you used an actual firearm in the commission of a crime. And that’s gonna hurt.

To the best of my knowledge CT does not allow hunting any sizeable game (e.g. Deer) with an Airgun, and in any event you would need an appropriate hunting license. You are allowed to use an Airgun of .177 in a State Forest, but I don’t think you are allowed to walk through The State forest with a .22, .25 or .30+ and simply blast away at the local squirrel population. Also be aware that there is a hunting season for squirrels in CT (yes, really!). Generally firearms are not allowed at State Parks. Not sure about air rifles, but I wouldn’t (and don’t) do it. Again, I don’t need the hassle. Despite all this, I have never heard anyone complain or even mention the fact that tons of people shoot squirrels, chipmunks, etc. in their backyard or their own woods. (Personally no squirrel has ever dome anything to me to require a death sentence, but I have been tempted). Be careful with birds. I gather that a number of them are protected, so, for example, I can chuck a rock at a Blue Heron that’s trying to get at the Koi in the pond in front of my house, but heaven help me if I toast one with my Impact.

All in all, you are also good to go if you’re shooting targets etc. Just don’t piss off the neighbors and have a good backstop. If you are in some of the bigger cities (Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford ) check out the local ordinances. Pretty much everywhere else its not a problem.

Have fun!

Chris
 
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Thanks for the info, madeintheuk!

I’d like to start on paper and eventually learn to hunt, so when you say license you’re referring to a hunting license, right? You still don’t need the carry permit? I remember reading about the hunter safety course you have to do before getting a license but that’s as far as I got in my research because I need to learn to shoot well first so I could hunt ethically.


 
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ChRiSiS, thanks a lot! I actually forgot to mention I did call my local police department awhile back when I first placed my order for the gun and I got the same sort of impression your info just gave me. Pretty much don’t be a moron and people are jumpy, so don’t be scaring the natives, lol!

Ideally I’d love to make a friend with a big ass property where I could learn to shoot at different ranges. I love meeting new people and this seems like a really cool community from what I can tell so far.

How’d you know I got an Impact? 😆
 
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Thanks for the info, madeintheuk!

I’d like to start on paper and eventually learn to hunt, so when you say license you’re referring to a hunting license, right? You still don’t need the carry permit? I remember reading about the hunter safety course you have to do before getting a license but that’s as far as I got in my research because I need to learn to shoot well first so I could hunt ethically.

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Yes, the license I am referring to is a Hunting License, not a Pistol Permit (or Rifle permit). I bought my first Airgun long before I ever got a Pistol Permit.

(For those non-CT residents, a Pistol Permit in CT is pretty much an “everything” permit, from buying pistols and revolvers, concealed or open carry of same, through rifles and shotguns and “Other Firearms”. A Long Gun Permit does not allow one to buy a pistol or revolver and you can’t carry a pistol with one).
 
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...actually CT has recognized air guns as legitimated hunting tools and subjected them to regulations accordingly...

...one of signifigence is that no air rifle over .22 cal may be used on state property...this sort of spoiled my plans with the .25 Talon P I bought for hunting...

...on private land they foolishly, IMHO, allow .25 cal. and up on deer, although they recommend .40 and up...(?)... 

...I would never willingly shoot a deer with a .25 cal air gun...it would be a stunt shot...a .22 short makes more energy and has better penetration...

...I don't want to shoot deer...I want to shoot squirrels...methinks I have been hanging out with dogs for too long...

...that is why I bought a .22 cal "Benjamin" Cayden, although I fear this will be like lugging an M1A, instead of an M1 Carbine...
 
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ChRiSiS, thanks a lot! I actually forgot to mention I did call my local police department awhile back when I first placed my order for the gun and I got the same sort of impression your info just gave me. Pretty much don’t be a moron and people are jumpy, so don’t be scaring the natives, lol!

Ideally I’d love to make a friend with a big ass property where I could learn to shoot at different ranges. I love meeting new people and this seems like a really cool community from what I can tell so far.

How’d you know I got an Impact?
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Just a crazy guess on the Impact 😂

With all the haters I see in the various forums its amazing that people actually buy FX airguns, by the thousands, every time they are available 😉
 
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...kind of like Airforce...in a different way but the same effect...

...I stay away from the FX guns because I would have trouble coping with their shortcomings...I am a simple fellow...I would mess them up badly...

...not to mention the pricing...

...IMHO the Airforce deficiencies are palatable behind the simplicity and ruggedness of the design...they are accurate, powerful, and light weight as well...

...some people hate them but they sell out too...even after all these years...they are quite long in the tooth FWIW...
 
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...kind of like Airforce...in a different way but the same effect...

...I stay away from the FX guns because I would have trouble coping with their shortcomings...I am a simple fellow...I would mess them up badly...

...not to mention the pricing...

...IMHO the Airforce deficiencies are palatable behind the simplicity and ruggedness of the design...they are accurate, powerful, and light weight as well...

...some people hate them but they sell out too...even after all these years...they are quite long in the tooth FWIW...
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Yup. I kind of like my AirForce Condor SS (.25). Kind of crude, but simple and LOTS of POWER!
 
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Hapo, your profile picture is fantastic, man! 😂

Thanks for the hunting info. I think it’s going to be awhile before I’m in that world, but I love learning about all this, and every insight helps.

I’ve got to plead ignorance on many of the airguns that are out there as far as what’s what, but I definitely get that there’s some love/hate for certain ones out there, including FX for sure. Chances are good I’ll mess it up myself if I’m honest, but I hope to have some fun doing it!

Crazy good guess on the Impact, ChRiSiS! 👍🏻😃 I’m not ashamed to say there was some significant YouTube influence on that decision. The shooters do some impressive things with it! (I definitely understand that there’s a lot of skill behind those very nice guns and scope cams, lol!)


 
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I’ve heard of Airforce Texans pushing north of 500 foot pounds! Those are CRAZY numbers!!!

What sort of power are we talking about with your Condor?
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Well the Condor SS is definitely not a Texan. Mine is a .25 and I get 66 Ft. Lbs with the JSB 33.9 grain pellets (with the gun pumped to 2600 PSI and the power wheel at 12). I could probably get more with a heavier pellet, l,Ike the EunJin 38 grain ones.
 
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66 on a .25 is power aplenty, I’d say!

I’d imagine you could get more out of the heavier pellet but I doubt you’d need it for whatever game you’d be shooting with that gun. I suppose if you wanted to be really thorough with that gun in hunting applications you could give the JSB Hades a shot - or maybe you’ve experimented with it already?

It seems like a really effective hunting pellet, something just short of a slug.
 
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66 on a .25 is power aplenty, I’d say!

I’d imagine you could get more out of the heavier pellet but I doubt you’d need it for whatever game you’d be shooting with that gun. I suppose if you wanted to be really thorough with that gun in hunting applications you could give the JSB Hades a shot - or maybe you’ve experimented with it already?

It seems like a really effective hunting pellet, something just short of a slug.
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To be honest, I don’t shoot it much since I started buying FX airguns. Probably going to sell it just like I sold my Marauders (except for my Semi-Auto, which I love).
 
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I do get that, and I’m sure there will be others I will enjoy shooting when I get around other airgunners as well. It’s always more enjoyable to get around an owner who can show you what to love about theirs.

I’ve certainly heard a lot of fond comment on Daystate, Brocock, Evanix, Taipan, etc in my research. Crosman and Diana often get nods as well, just usually more in nostalgic words and feeling!
 
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