Vermont Gun Laws

Making and importing are limited and use is restricted to enumerated purposes including hunting and lawful sport shooting ranges. There is no federal-registration hook.

13 V.S.A. § 4010 (gun silencers)

ATF stopped requiring NFA approval and registration for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and AOWs on October 9, 2026, but says the policy does not affect state or local law and that it cannot say whether an unregistered item counts as lawfully held under federal law for state-law purposes.

"ATF cannot opine on whether holding an unregistered firearm or silencer pursuant to ATF's enforcement discretion will qualify for state-law purposes as lawfully held (or registered) under federal law."

ATF Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees and the Public, Oct. 9, 2026 (Director Robert Cekada), and the accompanying ATF FAQs

Vermont's state constitution, adopted in 1777, expressly protects the right to bear arms for personal and state defense. This provision underlies Vermont's permitless-carry tradition and was the basis for State v. Rosenthal (1903), which struck down a Rutland municipal carry-license ordinance.

"That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State—and as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up."

Vermont Constitution, Chapter I, Article 16 statute

The Vermont Supreme Court in State v. Rosenthal (1903) struck down a Rutland city ordinance that barred carrying a pistol concealed within the city without written permission of the mayor or chief of police, holding the ordinance, so far as it related to carrying a pistol, inconsistent with and repugnant to the Constitution (Ch. 1, Art. 16, the right to bear arms) and the laws of the State, and to that extent void. The decision is the foundation of Vermont's long-standing permitless-carry tradition. Opinion read from the Caselaw Access Project scan of 75 Vt. 295 on 2026-10-16.

"The result is that Ordinance No. 10, so far as it relates to the carrying of a pistol, is inconsistent with, and repugnant to, the Constitution and the laws of the State, and it is therefore, to that extent, void."

State v. Rosenthal, 75 Vt. 295, 55 A. 610 (1903) court

Vermont's principal carry-related criminal statute does not prohibit carrying a firearm generally; it criminalizes only carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent to injure another. Mere open or concealed carry of a handgun by an adult who is not federally prohibited is lawful without a permit.

"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $200.00, or both."

13 V.S.A. § 4003 statute

Vermont does not issue a concealed-carry permit or any other firearm-carry permit. The Department of Public Safety administers federally required background checks through the federal NICS system but does not operate a state permit application program. Adults who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry openly or concealed without any state permit.

"New Vermont Gun Laws FAQs"

Vermont DPS — New Vermont Gun Laws FAQs ag

Open carry of a firearm by an adult who is not federally prohibited is lawful in Vermont without any permit. The statute criminalizes only carrying a weapon — openly or concealed — with intent to injure.

"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, with the intent... of injuring a fellow man, shall be imprisoned."

13 V.S.A. § 4003 statute

Vermont has no statute restricting how a handgun is carried in a private vehicle. A loaded handgun may be carried in the glove box, center console, or anywhere else in the vehicle without a permit. The only carry-related offense (§ 4003) requires intent to injure.

"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, with the intent... of injuring a fellow man."

13 V.S.A. § 4003 (no handgun-in-vehicle ban) statute

Vermont's fish-and-wildlife code prohibits carrying or possessing a loaded rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, or pre-charged pneumatic rifle in or on a motor vehicle within the right-of-way of a public highway. The restriction applies to long guns only — handguns are not covered. The rule is designed to prevent road hunting; violations are charged under hunting law.

"A person shall not carry or possess while in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power... within the right-of-way of a public highway: (A) a rifle... or shotgun containing a loaded cartridge, shell, or other projectile in the chamber, mechanism, or in a magazine, or clip."

10 V.S.A. § 4705 statute

Vermont has not enacted a guns-in-trunks / parking-lot protection statute. Employers are not statutorily prohibited from regulating firearms in employee vehicles parked on employer property, although there is also no explicit statute authorizing such restrictions.

"Title 13 V.S.A. — Crimes and Criminal Procedure"

Vermont — no employer-parking-lot protection statute statute

Vermont does not issue any concealed-carry, handgun-carry, or firearms permit. As a consequence, there are no reciprocity agreements: Vermont residents who wish to carry in permit-required states must obtain a non-resident permit from another state (commonly Utah, Florida, or Arizona). Within Vermont, any lawful adult — resident or visitor — may carry openly or concealed without a permit; out-of-state permits are immaterial.

"New Vermont Gun Laws FAQs"

Vermont DPS — no permit issued ag

Vermont's justifiable-homicide statute provides that a person is guiltless when killing or wounding another in the just and necessary defense of their own life or the life of any other person, or in the just and necessary defense of a dwelling against a person who is committing or about to commit murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, burglary, or robbery. The statute also preserves common-law defenses (including the common-law castle doctrine).

"If a person kills or wounds another under any of the circumstances enumerated below, he or she shall be guiltless: (1) in the just and necessary defense of his or her own life or the life of any other person."

13 V.S.A. § 2305 statute

Vermont has no codified stand-your-ground statute, but Vermont common law recognizes no duty to retreat from one's home (castle doctrine) and, under recent decisions, a defender may stand their ground where lawfully present without first retreating. The statute expressly preserves common-law defenses.

"The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon defenses granted at common law."

13 V.S.A. § 2305 (common-law preserved) statute

Vermont has no statute requiring a person carrying a firearm to proactively disclose that fact to a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop or other police contact. Because Vermont does not issue carry permits, there is also no permit-display-on-demand obligation.

"Title 13, Chapter 85 — Weapons"

Vermont — no duty-to-disclose statute statute

Knowingly possessing a firearm or other dangerous or deadly weapon in a school building or on a school bus is a criminal offense, regardless of intent (first offense: up to 1 year imprisonment / $1,000 fine; subsequent: up to 3 years / $5,000). Knowingly possessing such a weapon on any school property with the intent to injure another is a more serious offense (first offense: up to 3 years / $1,000; subsequent: up to 5 years / $5,000). Limited exceptions exist for law enforcement and school-board-authorized instructional uses.

"No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon while within a school building or on a school bus."

13 V.S.A. § 4004 statute

Carrying or possessing a firearm — or knowingly carrying any other dangerous or deadly weapon — inside a courthouse without court authorization is a criminal offense (up to 1 year imprisonment / $500 fine). In a courthouse certified by the Court Administrator as a 'secured building,' no dangerous or deadly weapon is allowed at all.

"A person who, while within a courthouse and without court authorization, carries or possesses a firearm, or knowingly carries or possesses a dangerous or deadly weapon other than a firearm, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $500.00, or both."

13 V.S.A. § 4016 statute

Knowingly possessing a firearm in a hospital building is prohibited and is a non-criminal offense punishable by a fine of up to $250. Federal and state-certified law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity are excepted. Hospitals must post conspicuous notice at each public entrance. Effective July 1, 2022.

"A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm while within a hospital building."

13 V.S.A. § 4023 statute

Knowingly possessing a firearm at a polling place — or on the walks leading to a building containing a polling place — on election day is an offense punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a $1,000 fine. Law enforcement officers, federal or state employees authorized to carry as part of official duties, and firearms stored in vehicles are excepted. Effective May 28, 2024.

"A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm at a polling place or on the walks leading to a building in which a polling place is located on an election day."

13 V.S.A. § 4027 statute

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly possess, or cause to be present, a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility (other than a federal court facility, which is covered by a separate, stricter subsection). The base offense is punishable by a fine and up to one year imprisonment. Vermont does not add a separate state restriction layered on top of the federal rule for federal property.

"Whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both."

18 U.S.C. § 930 statute

Vermont requires that almost every firearm transfer between unlicensed persons be facilitated through a federally licensed dealer who runs a NICS background check. Transfers within immediate family (broadly defined to include step-relatives and great-grandparents/grandchildren), transfers to or by law enforcement or active-duty military, and emergency transfers to prevent imminent harm are exempt. Added by 2018 Act 94 (effective April 11, 2018).

"Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, an unlicensed person shall not transfer a firearm to another unlicensed person unless: (A) the proposed transferor and the proposed transferee physically appear together with the firearm before a licensed dealer and request that the licensed dealer facilitate the transfer."

13 V.S.A. § 4019 statute

Vermont imposes a 72-hour waiting period on firearm transfers subject to a NICS background check. The transferor may not deliver the firearm until 72 hours after NICS provides a unique transaction identifier, or until seven business days have elapsed since the dealer contacted NICS, whichever occurs first. Added by 2023 Act 45, effective July 1, 2023.

"A person shall not transfer a firearm to another person until 72 hours after the licensed dealer facilitating the transfer is provided with a unique identification number for the transfer by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or seven business days have elapsed since the dealer contacted NICS to initiate the background check, whichever occurs first."

13 V.S.A. § 4019a statute

Vermont prohibits the sale of any firearm — handgun or long gun — to a person under 21 years of age, with exceptions for law enforcement officers, active or veteran members of the Vermont National Guard, another state's National Guard, or the U.S. Armed Forces, and persons who present a certificate of satisfactory completion of a Vermont- or Commissioner-of-Fish-and-Wildlife-approved hunter safety course. This rule exceeds federal law (which permits long-gun sales at 18 from FFLs) and is currently being litigated in federal court. Enacted by 2018 Act 94.

"A person shall not sell a firearm to a person under 21 years of age."

13 V.S.A. § 4020 statute

Federal law sets minimum ages for purchase from a federally licensed dealer at 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns. Vermont's 2018 Act 94 layers on a stricter state floor: in Vermont, no firearm of any kind may be sold to a person under 21 by anyone (FFL or private), subject to law-enforcement, military, and hunter-safety-certificate exceptions.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) atf

Vermont does not require firearm registration. No statute in Title 13, Chapter 85 (Weapons) imposes a registration requirement on lawful firearm owners.

"Title 13, Chapter 85 — Weapons"

Vermont — no firearm registration statute statute

Vermont has an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law. A State's Attorney, the Office of the Attorney General, or — since 2023 Act 45 — a family or household member may petition the Family Division of the Superior Court for an order prohibiting the respondent from purchasing, possessing, or receiving dangerous weapons. The petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses an extreme risk of harm to self or others. Final orders last up to six months and may be renewed.

"A State's Attorney, the Office of the Attorney General, or a family or household member may file a petition requesting that the court issue an extreme risk protection order prohibiting a person from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous weapon."

13 V.S.A. §§ 4051-4062 (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) statute

Section 4051 contains the definitions for Vermont's Extreme Risk Protection Order subchapter, including 'Court,' 'Dangerous weapon,' 'Explosive,' 'Federally licensed firearms dealer,' 'Firearm,' 'Law enforcement agency,' and 'Household members.' 2023 Act 45 amended the definitions to support the expansion of ERPO standing to family and household members.

"As used in this subchapter: [defined terms include 'Court,' 'Dangerous weapon,' 'Explosive,' 'Federally licensed firearms dealer,' 'Firearm,' 'Law enforcement agency,' and 'Household members']."

13 V.S.A. § 4051 statute

Section 4054 governs emergency (ex parte) Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The court must issue a temporary ex parte order upon finding — by a preponderance of the evidence when filed by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General, or by clear and convincing evidence when filed by a family or household member — that the respondent poses an imminent and extreme risk of harm by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous weapon. Amended by 2023 Act 45 to add the family/household-member standing track.

"The court shall grant the motion and issue a temporary ex parte extreme risk protection order if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence, or by clear and convincing evidence if the petition was filed by a family or household member, that at the time the order is requested the respondent poses an imminent and extreme risk of causing harm to themselves or another person by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous weapon or by having a dangerous weapon within the respondent's custody or control."

13 V.S.A. § 4054 statute

Vermont has no state assault-weapon ban. Semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 are lawful to possess; the only state-level restriction on these platforms is the magazine-capacity limit under § 4021 and the bump-stock ban under § 4022.

"Title 13, Chapter 85 — Weapons"

Vermont — no assault weapon ban statute

Vermont prohibits the manufacture, possession, transfer, sale, purchase, receipt, or import of any large-capacity ammunition feeding device — defined as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that holds (or can readily be converted to hold) more than 10 rounds for a long gun or more than 15 rounds for a handgun. Devices lawfully possessed before April 11, 2018 are grandfathered. Tubular .22-caliber magazines and magazines designed for lever-, bolt-, and curio/relic firearms are excluded from the definition. Effective April 11, 2018 (2018 Act 94).

"A person shall not manufacture, possess, transfer, offer for sale, purchase, or receive or import into this State a large capacity ammunition feeding device... 'Large capacity ammunition feeding device' means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept... more than 10 rounds of ammunition for a long gun; or... more than 15 rounds of ammunition for a hand gun."

13 V.S.A. § 4021 statute

In State v. Misch (2021 VT 10), the Vermont Supreme Court upheld Vermont's large-capacity-magazine ban (13 V.S.A. § 4021) against a challenge under Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution, concluding that the ban is a 'reasonable regulation' of the right to bear arms. The court applied a reasonableness standard rather than strict scrutiny.

"We conclude that the magazine ban is a reasonable regulation of the right of the people to bear arms for self-defense, and therefore affirm the trial court's denial of defendant's motion to dismiss the charges against him for allegedly violating § 4021(a)."

State v. Misch, 2021 VT 10 court

Vermont prohibits possession of bump-fire stocks — devices that increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm but do not convert it to a fully automatic firearm. Enacted by 2018 Act 94, effective October 1, 2018.

"A person shall not possess a bump-fire stock."

13 V.S.A. § 4022 statute

Vermont law does not prohibit possession of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, or short-barreled shotguns at the state level. Suppressors are explicitly permitted under § 4010 for any person otherwise eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law. All NFA items remain subject to federal NFA registration through ATF.

"Title 13, Chapter 85, § 4010 — Gun suppressors"

13 V.S.A. § 4010 (gun suppressors) statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration and a federal tax stamp. Vermont does not impose an additional state ban on these items.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Vermont preempts local firearm regulation. Municipalities may not regulate the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing, or registration of firearms, ammunition, or components. The statute expressly overrides conflicting language in municipal charters. Enacted 1987.

"Except as otherwise provided by law, no town, city, or incorporated village... may regulate the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing, or registration of traps, firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or ammunition."

24 V.S.A. § 2295 statute

Signed April 11, 2018, Act 94 created Vermont's universal-background-check requirement (§ 4019), age-21 floor for any firearm sale (§ 4020), magazine-capacity limit of 10 rounds long gun / 15 rounds handgun with pre-effective-date grandfather (§ 4021), and a bump-fire stock ban effective October 1, 2018 (§ 4022). The act was the most significant change to Vermont firearm law in decades.

"An act relating to the disposition of unlawful and abandoned firearms."

Act 94 of 2018 (S.55) statute

Signed April 11, 2018, Act 97 created Vermont's Extreme Risk Protection Order law (13 V.S.A. §§ 4051-4062), authorizing the Family Division of the Superior Court to issue orders prohibiting a respondent from purchasing, possessing, or receiving dangerous weapons upon a clear-and-convincing-evidence showing of extreme risk of harm.

"An act relating to extreme risk protection orders."

Act 97 of 2018 (S.221) — ERPO creation statute

Effective July 1, 2023, Act 45 added a 72-hour waiting period for firearm transfers (§ 4019a); created a criminal negligent-storage offense when a child or prohibited person foreseeably gains access (§ 4024); and expanded ERPO standing to family and household members (§§ 4051, 4053, 4054). Governor Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature on June 1, 2023.

"An act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide and community violence."

Act 45 of 2023 (H.230) statute

Vermont criminalizes negligent firearm storage when a child or prohibited person foreseeably gains access. A person who stores or keeps a firearm within premises under that person's custody or control, knowing or reasonably should knowing that a child or prohibited person is likely to gain access, is subject to graduated criminal penalties that escalate with the consequences (crime commission, threatening display, or death/serious injury). Added by 2023 Act 45, effective July 1, 2023.

"A person who stores or keeps a firearm within any premises that are under the person's custody or control, and who knows or reasonably should know that a child or prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm, shall be [subject to criminal penalties]."

13 V.S.A. § 4024 statute

Prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm at a polling place — or on the walks leading to a polling-place building — on election day. Exceptions for law enforcement, federal and state employees authorized to carry as part of official duties, and firearms stored in vehicles. Penalty: up to one year imprisonment or a $1,000 fine.

13 V.S.A. § 4027

Added a 72-hour waiting period for firearm transfers subject to NICS (§ 4019a); created a criminal negligent-storage offense if a child or prohibited person foreseeably gains access (§ 4024); and expanded ERPO standing to family and household members (§§ 4051, 4053). Governor Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature on June 1, 2023.

Act 45 of 2023 (H.230)

Added 13 V.S.A. § 4023, prohibiting knowing possession of a firearm in a hospital building, with exceptions for federal and state-certified law enforcement officers. Penalty: fine up to $250.

13 V.S.A. § 4023

Vermont's most significant firearms package in modern history: required licensed-dealer-facilitated background checks for almost all private transfers (§ 4019); prohibited firearm sales to anyone under 21 with limited exceptions (§ 4020); banned new magazines holding more than 10 rounds for long guns or 15 rounds for handguns, with grandfathering of pre-effective-date devices (§ 4021); and prohibited bump-fire stocks effective October 1, 2018 (§ 4022).

Act 94 of 2018 (S.55)

Created Vermont's red-flag law (13 V.S.A. §§ 4051-4062), authorizing the Family Division of the Superior Court to issue orders prohibiting a respondent from purchasing, possessing, or receiving dangerous weapons on a clear-and-convincing-evidence showing of extreme risk of harm. Initially only State's Attorneys and the Attorney General had standing to petition.

Act 97 of 2018 (S.221)