Vermont Gun Laws

• The Original "Vermont Carry": Vermont holds a unique place in American firearms history. It is the original constitutional carry state, having never restricted the permitless carry of firearms for lawful adults. Anyone 18 years of age or older (who is not legally prohibited) may carry a handgun openly or concealed statewide without a permit.
• The Gun Control Shift (2018-2023): Despite its history of virtually unrestricted gun rights, Vermont has aggressively shifted its legislative stance in recent years. Beginning with sweeping reforms in 2018 and continuing with H.230 in 2023, the state has instituted magazine capacity limits, 72-hour waiting periods, universal background checks, and strict safe storage mandates, heavily altering the state's firearms landscape.
• No Permits Issued: Vermont is entirely unique in that it is the only state in the country that completely refuses to issue any form of concealed carry permit. Because the state has never required them, it has no statutory framework to issue them, meaning Vermont residents cannot obtain a resident permit for out-of-state reciprocity.

Vermont DOES NOT ISSUE concealed carry permits of any kind. There is no "Shall Issue" or "May Issue" framework. Because the state allows permitless carry for everyone legally able to own a firearm, it has never established a permitting system for its residents or non-residents.

• Minimum Age: 18 to carry permitless (though federal and state laws restrict handgun purchases to 21 unless specifically exempted).
• Training Requirements: N/A.
• Background Checks: N/A.
• Fingerprints: N/A.
• Application Fees: N/A.
• Reciprocity Issues: Because Vermont does not issue permits, Vermont residents traveling out of state must rely on non-resident permits from other states (like Utah or New Hampshire) to carry legally in states that require a permit and don't recognize permitless carry.

Vermont has recently enacted strict hardware bans, reversing its long history of unrestricted firearm ownership.

• Magazine Capacity: Strictly regulated. Under a 2018 law, it is illegal to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess a "large capacity ammunition feeding device." This is defined as any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds for a long gun or more than 15 rounds for a handgun. (Magazines owned prior to April 11, 2018, are grandfathered).
• "Assault Weapon" Bans: None. Vermont does not regulate or ban semi-automatic firearms based on cosmetic features or military appearance.
• Restricted Ammunition: No state-specific bans on standard hollow-point ammunition.
• Banned Accessories: Bump-fire stocks and similar rapid-fire activators are explicitly banned under state law. Suppressors are legal to possess if registered under the federal NFA, but using a suppressor while hunting is illegal in Vermont.

Vermont relies heavily on common law (court precedent) rather than specific statutes for its self-defense protections.

• Stand Your Ground: No. Vermont does not have a statutory Stand Your Ground law. Under common law precedent, if you are in a public space and face a deadly threat, you generally have a duty to retreat if you can do so with complete safety before using deadly force.
• Castle Doctrine: Yes. Common law dictates that inside your own dwelling, you have no duty to retreat and may use deadly force to protect yourself against an unlawful intruder if you reasonably fear imminent death or great bodily harm.
• Duty to Retreat: Yes, generally required outside the home if a perfectly safe avenue of escape exists.
• Civil Immunity: No. Vermont does not provide specific statutory civil immunity, meaning a justified shooter can still face civil litigation from the attacker's family.

Transportation laws in Vermont differentiate heavily between handguns and long guns due to strict wildlife management regulations.

• Handguns: Any law-abiding adult 18 or older may transport a loaded, concealed handgun anywhere inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
• Long Guns: Under 10 V.S.A. § 4705, it is strictly illegal to transport a rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle if it contains a loaded cartridge or shell in the chamber OR in an attached magazine. The long gun must be completely unloaded.
• Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act: Because Vermont issues no carry permits whatsoever, every citizen carrying a firearm in a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school is technically in violation of the federal GFSZA.

Vermont has instituted strict purchasing regulations, dismantling its formerly unregulated private market.

• Dealer Sales: All purchases through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) require a standard NICS background check.
• Private Sales: Universal background checks are mandatory. Any private transfer of a firearm between unlicensed individuals must be processed through an FFL, who will run the background check. (Exceptions exist for immediate family members).
• Waiting Periods: Yes. As of 2023 (H.230), Vermont enforces a strict 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of any firearm. The buyer must wait 72 hours from the time the background check is initiated, or until the background check is approved, whichever is later.
• CCW Bypass: N/A. Vermont issues no permits, so there is no NICS bypass.

Vermont aggressively utilizes its Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) framework, functioning as a Red Flag law.

• Who Can File: Originally limited to law enforcement or State's Attorneys, the 2023 expansion (H.230) now allows family members and household members to petition the court directly.
• Process and Duration: A judge can issue an emergency ex parte ERPO without the respondent present, requiring the immediate surrender of firearms. A full hearing is held within 14 days. If granted, a final ERPO lasts for up to six months and can be renewed.
• Appeal: The respondent can petition the court to lift the order by proving they are no longer a risk to themselves or others.

Because Vermont operates under constitutional carry, there are no penalties for carrying a handgun without a permit for eligible adults. However, if a "prohibited person" (such as a convicted felon) is caught in possession of a firearm, it is a severe felony.

Possession of a high-capacity magazine (over 10 rounds for a rifle or 15 for a handgun) is a criminal offense carrying up to 1 year in jail. Carrying a firearm onto K-12 school property is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Transporting a loaded long gun in a vehicle is a wildlife violation punishable by steep fines.