Vermont Gun Laws

Vermont Gun Laws Summary

Though Vermont law allows the possession of firearms and carrying without a permit, all gun sales must be completed through a licensed firearms dealer unless if the transfer is between family members.

Buyers below 21 years old must provide proof of completion of a Vermont hunters course (or equivalent). Members of the military, National Guard, or law enforcement are exempted from this rule. In terms of purchase permits and firearms registration, Vermont law does not require any of those.

Vermont permits both open carry and concealed carry in its state without a permit. Any person 16 years old and above can have legal possession of firearms.

Although Vermont does not have a Castle Doctrine or a stand your ground law, the courts have consistently ruled that residents have no duty to retreat when they’re attacked in their dwelling.

Self Defense

Force is justified under the following circumstances:

• When the person reasonably believes that force is necessary for the defense of him or her own life or another’s life.
• When the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to terminate the attempt or commission of murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, burglary, or robbery with force or violence.

New Laws

Vermont signed three new laws in April 2018 and they are as follows:

• Magazine restrictions – Vermont bans the sale or possession of firearms with magazines that hold more than 15 rounds for a handgun or 10 rounds for a long gun.
• Age restrictions – All gun sales must be completed through a licensed firearms dealer and the buyer must be at least 21 years old unless the person has completed a Vermont hunters course or is a member of the military or law enforcement.
• Confiscation – Vermont allows law enforcement officers to confiscate a firearm if they believe that the person poses a threat to himself/herself or to the community.

Vermont Gun Laws To Know

Possession

Although Vermont does not require a state permit for possession of firearms like rifles, shotguns, or handguns, it is unlawful for a person under 16, without the consent of his or her parent/guardian, to possess or control a handgun.

It is also unlawful for an individual to possess a zip gun since it is generally agreed that a zip gun is a crude homemade firearm.

Carry

It is lawful to carry a firearm openly or concealed in Vermont provided the intention of carrying the firearm is not for the purpose of injuring another. It is unlawful to carry a firearm within any state institution or on the ground owned or leased by such institution.

The Vermont gun law also states that it is unlawful to carry or possess a firearm in a school bus, school building or property unless the board of school directors authorize the use of firearms purely for instructional purposes at dedicated facilities.

The state also makes it unlawful for individuals to carry or possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle within the right of way of a public highway, except for a law enforcement officer and hunter who is paraplegic or has a severe physical disability and has been issued a permit by the fish and game commissioner.

Purchase

Vermont does not require a permit to purchase a rifle, shotgun, or handgun but dealers are required to keep a record of all handgun sales including used handgun purchases.

The record must reflect the date of transaction, marks of handgun identification (manufacturer’s name, calibre, model, and serial number), purchaser’s name, address, birthplace, occupation, age, height, weight, color of eyes and hair.

The purchaser must also sign his name to the record and the dealer must keep such records for at least 6 tears after the date of the last entry and shall permit law enforcement officers to inspect the book when required.

It is also legal to possess, purchase or sell machine guns that are legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations in Vermont.

While Vermont laws relating to antique firearms and replicas are not very established, the opinion of the Attorney General holds that handguns defined as antiques and replicas under the 1968 Gun Control Act need not be entered into the sales records as long as they do not fire conventional ammunition.

The possession, ownership, transfer, carrying, or registration of firearms or ammunition has been pre-empted by state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carry Basics

Does Vermont allow the constitutional carry of firearms?

Yes, Vermont is a constitutional carry state.

Does Vermont permit open carry in its state?

Yes, Vermont allows open carry of firearms without a permit for any person that is at least 18 years old and is lawfully entitled to possessing firearms.

Does Vermont require a permit to conceal carry firearms?

No, Vermont does not issue permits.

Does Vermont have a minimum age for concealed carry permits?

The minimum age to perform concealed carry weapons in Vermont is 18 years old.

Does Vermont allow residents to own a taser or stun gun?

Yes, it is legal to purchase and possess stun guns and tasers without a permit according to Vermont’s gun laws.

Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Vermont?

Yes, it is legal to purchase and use chemical or pepper spray in Vermont.

Does Vermont have restrictions on handgun magazine capacity?

Yes, Vermont has a restriction on handgun magazine capacity that limits it to 15 rounds only.

In 2018, Vermont passed legislation to restrict the sale, purchase, possession, manufacture, and importation of large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices with the exception of law enforcement, government officials, and shooting competitions.

The Vermont Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the state law banning high-capacity magazines in 2021.

Does Vermont have restrictions on ammunition?

No. Vermont does not have restrictions on ammunition.

What are the knife laws in Vermont?

In Vermont, it is legal to openly or conceal carry any type of legal knife, provided you do not have criminal intent and do not carry it onto school, school buses or government property. However, switchblades with 3 inches or longer blades are illegal. Municipalities may also have additional restrictions.

Can I carry while shotgun/rifle hunting in Vermont?

Yes, you can carry while shotgun/rifle hunting in Vermont except during turkey and muzzle loading hunting.

Can I carry while bow hunting in Vermont?

Yes, the holder of an archery license or supersport license may also possess a handgun while archery hunting, provided that the license holder does not take the game by firearm during archery hunting.

Does Vermont have a Hunter Harassment Law?

Yes, Vermont has a hunter harassment law which states that a person shall not intentionally interfere with the lawful taking of fish or wild animals.

Can residents carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Vermont?

Yes, according to Vermont gun laws, concealed carry of a handgun in a vehicle is legal without a permit.

Can firearms be carried at roadside rest areas in Vermont?

Yes, firearms are allowed at roadside rest areas in Vermont.

Can firearms be carried in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Vermont?

Yes, Vermont allows the carrying of firearms in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas.

Can firearms be carried into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Vermont?

Yes, Vermont allows the carrying of firearms in bars or restaurants unless there are signs prohibiting firearms.

Key State Laws

Do residents have a duty to inform a police officer that they possess firearms?

No. Vermont has no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you possess firearms.

Are “No Weapons Allowed” signs enforced in Vermont?

Yes, “No Weapons Allowed” signs are enforced in Vermont as the state makes it illegal for anyone with firearms to enter or remain on any land or any place with notice prohibiting firearms.

Does Vermont have preemption laws related to concealed carry?

Yes, Vermont has preemption of firearms laws, except local municipalities may regulate or prohibit the discharge of firearms.

Does Vermont have a red flag law?

Vermont has a red flag law where a state’s attorney or the office of the attorney general may file a petition requisition that the court issue an extreme risk protection order to prohibit a person from purchasing, possessing, or receiving dangerous weapons.

Purchase and Possession of Firearms

Does Vermont require a state permit to purchase a handgun?

No. No permits are required to purchase a handgun in Vermont.

Does Vermont require background checks for private gun sales?

Yes, firearm transfers must be completed via a licensed firearms dealer and the individual must undergo a background check except for:

• Firearm transfers between family members including spouse, parent, stepparent, child, step child, siblings, step siblings, grandparents, and step-grandparents.
• Transfer to another person to prevent imminent harm,

Does Vermont have a waiting period after purchasing a handgun?

No, there are no waiting periods after purchasing a handgun in Vermont.

Does Vermont require handguns to be registered?

No, Vermont does not require handguns to be registered.

Firearms Location Restrictions

Areas in Vermont that allow individuals to bear and possess firearms:

• Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
• In vehicles.
• State/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs.
• Places of worship, provided there are no signs prohibiting firearms.

Off-limit Areas in Vermont that do not allow individuals to bear arms:

• Elementary, middle, or high school including buildings and grounds owned by the school and on a school bus.
• Mud Creek Controlled Hunting Area in Alburg.
• Residential treatment program properties.
• Private preserver without the written consent of the owner or person with exclusive rights to take fish or wild animals on that said land.
• Bomoseen State Game Refuge
• Courthouses.
• State buildings.
• Any place prohibited by federal laws or state laws or regulations.

Information for Vermont Concealed Carry Permit

Vermont does not issue carry permits. It is a state which does not require residents and visitors to have a permit to carry or possess firearms within the state as long as the individual is legally allowed to own and possess a firearm under state and federal law.

Law Enforcement Officers (LEO)/Retired LEOs

LEOs and RLEOs may choose to carry firearms or take possession of firearms under the LEO Safety Act (LEOSA), that’s often referred to as HR 218.

Under the 18 U.S. Code §§ 926B & 926C, qualified LEOs and RLWOs, or those separated from service in good standing can carry concealed firearms in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws.

Vermont Concealed Carry Reciprocity With Other States

• Alabama (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Alaska (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Arizona (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• California (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Colorado (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Connecticut (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Delaware (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• District of Columbia (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Florida (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Georgia (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Hawaii (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Illinois (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Iowa (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Kansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Kentucky (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Louisiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Maine (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Maryland (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Massachusetts (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Michigan (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Minnesota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Missouri (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Nebraska (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Nevada (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Jersey (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Mexico (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New York (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New York City (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• North Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Ohio (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Oregon (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Pennsylvania (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Rhode Island (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Texas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Utah (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Virginia (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Washington (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Wisconsin (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Puerto Rico (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Other States’ Reciprocity With Vermont

• Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Georgia
• Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Louisiana (even though VT doesn’t issue licenses)
• Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• States That Have Restricted Reciprocity with Vermont
• Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
  Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Kentucky (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)
• Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Permitless Carry States
• Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Kentucky (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Maine (permits recognized; see Maine Reciprocity section for details or PC-21)
• Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old)
• Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old for residents only)
• Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Vermont (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
• Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)