June 26, 2006 |
2006-R-0373 | |
GUN PERMIT ISSUANCE | ||
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By: Veronica Rose, Principal Analyst | ||
You asked for background information on staffing, permit issuance, and operating hours at the various offices that issue gun permits in the state.
The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) within the State Police is responsible for issuing gun permits. Before the 2002-2003 state employee layoffs, the unit employed 16 full-time employees (including two supervisors) and five part-time employees. Some SLFU employees work at the SLFU in Middletown; others work at satellite offices at various troop locations. The Middletown office is open 8:30 to 4:00 Monday to Friday; the satellite offices are generally open for shorter periods and fewer days. But some provide service until 7:00 pm on some days.
For calendar year 2002, the State Police issued 24,303 gun permits. Table 1 shows the number of permits by location and the operating hours of the various offices.
TABLE 1: GUN PERMITS AND OFFICE HOURS BY LOCATION:
JAN. 1, 02 TO DEC. 31, 02
Office |
Permits Issued* |
Hours of Operation |
SLFU (Middletown) |
9,636 |
Mon-Fri: 8-30 to 4:15 |
Troop C (Tolland) |
2,246 |
Tues, Wed, & Fri: 8:30 to 4:15 Thur: 11:00 to 7:00 |
Troop D (Danielson) |
95 |
Third Sat of each month: 9:00 to 3:00 |
Troop E (Montville) |
3,026 |
Tue & Wed: 8:00 to 4:15 Thur: 11:00 to 7:00 |
Troop G (Bridgeport) |
6,591 |
Tues, Wed, and Fri: 8:00 to 4:00 Thurs: 11:00 to 7:00 Sat: 9:00 to 2:00 |
Troop L (Litchfield) |
2, 709 |
Tues and Fri: 8:00 to 4:15 Thur: 11:00 to 7:00 |
Total |
24,303 |
* Includes new permits and renewals
Source: Division of State Police
Because of staff reduction in 2002 and 2003, the offices at Troop C, D, E, and L were closed. When staff levels increased, the offices at Troops C, E, and L were reopened in February 2005 for two days each month, and the Troop D office was reopened in August 2005 for one Saturday per month.
Since 2002, SLFU has lost one full-time and four part-time positions as a result of layoffs, retirements, and terminations, according to the State Police.
Table 2 shows the offices' current operating hours.
TABLE 2: CURRENT OPERATING HOURS OF GUN PERMIT OFFICES
Location |
Operating Hours |
SLFU (Middletown) |
Mon to Fri 8:00 to 4:00 |
Troop C (Tolland) |
First and third Tues each month: 8:30 to 4:00 |
Troop D (Danielson) |
Third Sat each month: 9:00 to 3:00 |
Troop E (Montville) |
Second and fourth Mon each month: 8:30 to 4:00 |
Troop G (Bridgeport) |
Tues to Sat: 8:00 to 4:00 Thurs: 11:00 to 7:00 |
Troop L (Litchfield) |
First and third Mon each month: 8:30 to 4:00 |
Source: Division of State Police
For the period June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006, the number of permits issued by location is as follows.
TABLE 3: PERMITS ISSUED BY LOCATION—JUNE 1, 05-MAY 31, 06
Location |
Permits Issued* |
SLFU |
11,894 |
Troop C |
1,002 |
Troop D |
381 |
Troop E |
1,559 |
Troop G |
6,222 |
Troop L |
1,202 |
Total |
22,260 |
* Includes new permits and renewals
Source: Division of State Police
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