Gun Laws in Vermont
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
Vermont's strong score of 71 reflects the state's constitutional carry tradition, lack of permit requirements, minimal restrictions on firearm types, and generally permissive approach to gun ownership, though recent legislation has introduced some new restrictions.
Vermont Gun Laws Summary
Vermont has a long tradition of respecting gun rights and was the original constitutional carry state, never having required permits for carrying concealed weapons. However, recent years have seen the introduction of some restrictions that were previously absent from Vermont law.
Vermont does not issue concealed carry permits to its residents, as none are required. The state has always operated on a constitutional carry basis, meaning any law-abiding citizen who can legally possess a firearm may carry it openly or concealed without a permit. This makes Vermont unique as it never transitioned to constitutional carry - it simply never required permits in the first place.
Since Vermont doesn't issue permits, residents who wish to carry in other states must either rely on those states' constitutional carry provisions or obtain a non-resident permit from a state that has reciprocity with their destination. Vermont's lack of a permit system means it cannot enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
No permits are required to purchase firearms in Vermont. However, as of 2018, all firearms sales must go through a licensed dealer with a background check, including private sales. The only exceptions are transfers between immediate family members and certain temporary transfers.
Background checks are conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Vermont prohibits the creation of any registry of firearm ownership. There is a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases unless the purchaser has completed a hunter safety course or holds a carry permit from another state.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
Vermont allows constitutional carry for both residents and non-residents. Anyone 21 years or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry it openly or concealed without a permit. Those aged 18-20 can still possess firearms but cannot carry concealed weapons following legislation passed in 2018.
Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone 16 years or older who can legally possess a firearm. Certain locations prohibit carry, including schools, school buses, courthouses, and state institutions. Unlike many states, Vermont generally allows carry in establishments that serve alcohol, though property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
Vermont has magazine capacity restrictions limiting magazines to 15 rounds for handguns and 10 rounds for long guns (rifles and shotguns). These restrictions were enacted in 2018 but include a grandfather clause for magazines owned before the law took effect. The state has no bans on semi-automatic firearms or specific features. All NFA items are legal to own provided federal requirements are met, including suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns.
Local Laws
Vermont does not have comprehensive statewide preemption of firearms laws. While state law prevents municipalities from regulating certain aspects of firearms ownership and carry, local governments retain some authority to regulate the discharge of firearms within their boundaries and may have their own ordinances regarding hunting and shooting. This creates some potential for varying regulations between municipalities, though most local restrictions focus on discharge rather than possession or carry.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
Vermont Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
This piece dives into the ammunition and firearms laws that apply in the state of Vermont. To do so, the piece begins with the ammo laws with a focus on the regulations on shipping ammunition to a residential address in the state. From there, the piece turns to the firearms laws both in terms of purchasing firearms and the rules governing the carriage of firearms in the state. The piece wraps up with some resources that we think will be useful to those who want to legally buy, own, and carry guns and ammunition in Vermont.
We do not intend this piece as legal advice and instead hope that you find the information here useful in making your own decisions.
Vermont, like most states, has preemption. This means that the state has a law that prohibits smaller political subunits, such as counties, cities, and towns, from making and enforcing their own gun laws that are stricter than those at the state level. This is good news for law-abiding gun owners, in that it means that once you understand the laws at the state level, that understanding actually applies to the entire state.
Vermont is a somewhat permissive state in terms of its firearms and ammo laws. The ammo laws are among the most permissive in the country, as are the regulations around the carriage of a firearm. With that said, Vermont has begun to pass laws that limit firearms purchases, and this indicates that the state might well become less permissive over time. This is a case where the state was historically very permissive, but the political tides are in the process of changing directions.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Vermont
First, we will cover the ammo laws in Vermont.
Vermont’s ammunition laws are highly permissive. The state does not have any major ammunition bans on the books and does not do much to regulate ammunition beyond those regulations that are set at the federal level.
The ATF sets two major rules for those who wish to purchase ammunition anywhere in the USA. The first is an age requirement: buyers have to be eighteen years of age or older to purchase long gun ammunition (for rifles and shotguns) and at least twenty-one to purchase ammo for a handgun. Secondly, buyers cannot be prohibited persons, which the ATF defines as those who have been convicted of a felony or domestic violence, people who have been found mentally unfit in a court of law, and those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health institution for inpatient treatment.
Assuming that the buyer meets both of those requirements, Vermont is fine with having ammunition shipped to a residential address. Carriers might impose their own rules, though, such as asking for someone with a valid ID to be present to sign for a package containing ammunition.
Vermont does not regulate ammunition meaningfully beyond the baseline of the relevant federal laws, making the ammo laws of this state highly permissive.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Vermont.
Next, we will do the same for gun laws.
Vermont’s gun laws do not follow any consistent pattern in terms of their consistency. In some regards, the state is highly permissive. There is, for instance, no assault weapons ban in the state as of the time of this writing, and the state is not only okay with its residents owning NFA items such as machine guns and short-barreled rifles and shotguns, but the state passed a law reaffirming people’s rights to own suppressors.
With that level of permissiveness, some of the newer laws seem contradictory. There is a magazine ban in the state: handgun magazines cannot have more than ten rounds, and rifle magazines cannot have more than fifteen rounds of capacity. More recently, a law passed (without the governor’s signature) that implements a 72-hour waiting period for all gun transfers, mandates safe storage of a firearm, and makes it easier for judges to order that someone can have their firearms seized without a conviction that would make them a prohibited person.
Currently, buying a firearm in the state starts with the federal process. The buyer should bring both a valid form of ID with their current address, and a form of payment, to the local gun store. From there, the FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF Form 4473 to run a background check and record the purchase as per federal law. Here is where Vermont’s new law becomes relevant: once the background check clears and the payment has been accepted, the buyer has to wait 72 hours to pick up the gun. It is a short waiting period as far as such periods go, but it does make the state much less permissive.
Because of the 72-hour waiting period, private-party sales of firearms now have to be facilitated by FFLS in the state. Thus while there is no law mandating private-sale background checks, the waiting period law institutes such background checks as the FFL will have the buyer fill out a 4473 for the transfer of the firearm from the FFL to the new buyer, even if the gun came from a private seller in the first place. Though the law is new, it is likely that FFLs will charge for this service.
Seemingly at odds with the new gun laws, Vermont might be the most permissive state in the country in terms of its carriage of firearms: the state is fine with its residents carrying firearms both openly and concealed, and no permit is required for either. In fact, the state does not issue concealed carry permits at all. While this makes life exceptionally easy for those who never leave Vermont, there’s a catch: because there is no Vermont permit, people from Vermont can only carry a firearm legally in other states with either permitless carry, or states that offer non resident permits, that the Vermont resident would have to apply for and get. So, it is very simple to carry a firearm in Vermont, but this simplicity, paradoxically, makes it harder for Vermont residents to carry guns anywhere but in the small state.
All states have a list of places where it is illegal to carry guns, and Vermont is no exception. This list includes:
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Courthouses
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Hospitals
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Private land without owner's permission
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Game reserves without valid hunting tags
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Public buildings with posted signs
This list is not an unusual one and is among the shortest in the nation. Also, it is illegal to carry guns on most federal property, which includes your local post office.
Vermont’s ammo and firearms laws are a study in contradictions. In some regards, the state is the most permissive in the country. In others, the state is growing more strict. The major take-home point here is that Vermont used to be extremely permissive and is now growing less permissive over time.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Vermont.
The sales tax rate in Vermont is 6%, and some localities have an additional 1% in taxes, making the effective sales tax rate in the state 7% in some spots. This is a small variance, and thus it is not likely worth shopping for an FFL in one of the lower-taxed areas.
Vermont does not impose additional, special taxes on firearms and ammunition.
More Resources:
Here are some resources that we think you’ll find useful in Vermont:
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The ATF publishes a listing of all FFLs within a given state, and this list is updated somewhat regularly. It can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding ranges that are convenient to you. Use the zip code, city, and mileage filters to find spots to shoot. Users can add more ranges, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
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Vermont has a number of well-rated gun stores.
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The Vermont firearms subreddit is a good place to discuss the changing landscape of gun ownership in the state.