DOJ Probes Gun Permit Practices in Two Connecticut Cities

WHO:

CT Mirror - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it would investigate local authorities in Middletown and Waterbury.

WTNH - The Justice Department opened the investigation; it will examine the permitting systems of the Middletown and Waterbury police departments.

WTNH - The investigation concerns firearm permits issued to residents of Middletown and Waterbury.

WHAT:

CT Mirror - The DOJ will investigate whether local authorities are “unnecessarily” delaying or denying gun permits in both cities.

WTNH - The Justice Department opened a probe into alleged firearm-permitting “abuses,” focusing on whether the cities unnecessarily delay issuing firearm permits.

WHERE:

CT Mirror - The investigation covers Middletown and Waterbury, Connecticut.

WTNH - The investigation focuses on the Middletown and Waterbury police departments.

WHY:

CT Mirror - The DOJ is investigating whether local authorities unnecessarily delay or deny gun permits.

WTNH - The Justice Department said the investigation will determine whether the cities unnecessarily delay firearm-permit issuance.

HOW:

WTNH - The probe will examine the firearm-permitting systems operated by the Middletown and Waterbury police departments.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 20:15 UTC)

The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into how police in Middletown and Waterbury, Connecticut, handle firearm permits. The probe will examine the permitting systems run by both departments and whether residents face unnecessary delays or denials. Federal officials are looking into allegations of abuses in the process, focusing on how the cities issue permits to people who live there. The investigation covers both the time it takes to approve applications and whether authorities improperly refuse them. The Justice Department said the review is aimed at determining whether local officials are unnecessarily delaying firearm-permit issuance. Its findings will assess whether the cities’ permitting practices are causing residents to wait too long or preventing them from obtaining permits.