Conn. Gen. Stat. » Title 53a — PENAL CODE · Chapter 952 — Penal Code: Offenses
Connecticut General Statutes

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217b (2025)

Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony

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(a) A person is guilty of possession of a weapon on school grounds when, knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, (1) in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, or (2) at a school-sponsored activity as defined in subsection (h) of section 10-233a.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm (1) by a person for use in a program approved by school officials in or on such school property or at such school-sponsored activity, (2) by a person in accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and such person or such person's employer, (3) by a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer's official duties, or (4) by a person while traversing such school property for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided such firearm is not loaded and the entry on such school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education.

(c) Possession of a weapon on school grounds is a class D felony.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-1, S. 1; P.A. 93-416, S. 7; P.A. 94-221, S. 1; P.A. 98-129, S. 15; P.A. 01-84, S. 8, 26; P.A. 16-55, S. 10; P.A. 19-108, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 93-416 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) to replace reference to offense of “possession of a firearm on school grounds” with revised name of “possession of a weapon on school grounds” due to inclusion of deadly weapon in offense in Subsec. (a); P.A. 94-221 added Subsec. (a)(2) re school-sponsored activities and amended Subsec. (b)(5) to substitute “permitted by” the board of education for “not prohibited by school officials” and, notwithstanding the provisions of Subsec. (b), provided for the prohibition by boards of education of the possession of firearms by students in or on school property or at a school-sponsored activity; P.A. 98-129 amended Subsec. (a) to add element that the person know that he is not licensed or privileged to possess a weapon on school grounds and deleted former Subsec. (b)(1) that had made provisions of Subsec. (a) inapplicable to the lawful possession of a firearm by a person holding a valid state or local permit to carry such firearm, renumbering the remaining Subdivs. accordingly, and deleted provision that had authorized boards of education and supervisory agents of private schools to prohibit the possession of firearms by students in or on school property or at a school-sponsored activity; P.A. 01-84 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to exempt possession of a firearm for use in an approved program “at such school-sponsored activity” and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (5) re motor vehicle inspector; P.A. 19-108 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to motor vehicle inspector, and make a technical change.

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2023–2026 · leading case: State v. Foster, 289 A.3d 191 (Conn. App. Ct. 2023).
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State v. Foster, 289 A.3d 191 (Conn. App. Ct. 2023). · cites it 2× “to 2001) § 53a-101 (a) (2); risk of injury to a minor in violation of General Statutes § 53-21 (a) (1); two counts of assault in the third degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-61 (a) (1); and two counts of possession of a weapon on school grounds in violation of General…”
State v. Foster (Concurrence), No. SC20829 (Conn. June 19, 2025). · cites it 2× “our society requires of us . . . as centurions of the public good.”
State v. Foster (Concurrence), No. SC20829 (Conn. Aug. 19, 2025). · cites it 2× “We all are painfully aware of the ‘‘appalling series of crimes’’ committed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, as well as other mass school shootings.”
State v. Dukes, No. AC48115 (Conn. App. Ct. June 9, 2026). · cites it 2× “Dukes General Statutes § 53a-217b, possession of more than the legal limit of cannabis in violation of General Statutes § 21a-279a (d) (1), engaging police in pursuit in violation of General Statutes § 14-223 (b), evasion of responsibility in the operation of a motor vehicle in…”
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