Conn. Gen. Stat. 53a‑102a – Burglary in the Second Degree with a Firearm

Connecticut General Statutes 53a‑102a explained for non lawyers

1. What the law prohibits

You commit burglary in the second degree with a firearm if you:

1. Commit burglary in the second degree (§ 53a‑102)—meaning you unlawfully enter or stay in a dwelling (someplace people sleep) while someone else is inside, with the intent to commit a crime; and
2. During that burglary, you either use, are armed with, threaten with, display, or act like you have a firearm (such as a pistol, rifle, shotgun, etc.).

You cannot be convicted of both burglary and this firearm-enhanced version for the same act, although you may be charged for each.

2. What the penalties are if someone is convicted

• This is a Class C felony.
• You must serve at least 1 year in prison, and that sentence cannot be suspended or reduced.
• Additional time may be added up to the maximum for Class C felonies (typically 10 years) along with fines.

3. What the state has to prove to convict someone (Elements of the offense)

To get a conviction, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

1. The defendant unlawfully entered or remained in a dwelling with intent to commit a crime, while another person was inside.
2. While doing that burglary, they used, were armed with, threatened with, displayed, or behaved as if they had a firearm.
3. The burglary and firearm use happened together, not in separate incidents. 

For the actual statute, you can visit Justia which has the actual law on its website.

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