Vermont gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Vermont is a does-not-issue, constitutional carry state.

All gun sales must be completed through a licensed firearms dealer unless the transfer is to a family member. Buyers under 21 years old must have completed a Vermont hunters course (or equivalent) or be a member or former member of the military, active or veteran member of the National Guard, or law enforcement. Vermont does not require permits to purchase and has no firearms registration.

Both open carry and concealed carry are legal without a permit in Vermont. Any person 16 or older (although federal law requires the age to be 18) who can legally possess a firearm is allowed to carry openly or concealed. There is no distinction between resident or non-resident, both are allowed to carry without a permit in Vermont. Therefore, the state does not issue permits.

Where can I carry with my Vermont permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

No

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Key Vermont Gun Laws

Important Firearm Laws

brandishing?

No

No definition of brandishing was found in Vermont law.However, any person who shall intentionally point or aim any gun, pistol or other firearm at or towards another, except in self-defense or in the lawful discharge of official duty, shall be punished. Any person who shall discharge any such firearm so intentionally aimed or pointed shall also be punished.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4011]

public access to concealed carry registry?

See details

Not applicable. Vermont does not issue permits.

preemption?

Yes

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

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 2295]

non-resident permitting?

No

No. A permit is not necessary.

red flag law?

Yes

Vermont has a red flag law. A state's attorney or the office of the attorney general 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, or having a dangerous weapon within the person's custody or control.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4053]

duty to inform officer you're carrying?

No

There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Vermont. 

"no weapons allowed" signs enforced?

Yes

Yes. It is illegal to enter or remain on any land or in any place as to which notice prohibiting firearms is given by actual communication or posted signs.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 3705]

carry while using alcohol or drugs?

See details

Not addressed in state statutes.

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Carry Basics

minimum age for concealed carry?

See details

The minimum age to concealed carry in Vermont is 18.

magazine limits for handguns?

Yes

No more than 15 rounds for handguns.

On February 19, 2021, the Vermont Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the state law banning high-capacity magazines.

In 2018, Vermont enacted legislation to generally restrict the sale, purchase, possession, manufacture and importation of large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices. There is a grandfather provision for large-capacity magazines that were lawfully possessed on or before April 11, 2018. There are various exemptions which include law enforcement, government officials and shooting competitions.  Additional exemptions include attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition as well as curios or relics.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4021(e)(1)]

On March 25, 2022, Gov. Phil Scott signed S. 4 into law, which permits a non-resident to transport a high-capacity magazine into the state for the exclusive purpose of use in an organized shooting competition sponsored by an entity registered with the secretary of state. The device also must be lawfully possessed under the laws of another state. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

weapons other than handguns allowed?

See details

Not applicable. Vermont does not issue permits.

gun permit licensure?

See details

Vermont does not issue permits.

ammunition restrictions?

No

No. Vermont does not have ammunition restrictions.

constitutional carry?

Yes

Yes. Vermont allows constitutional carry.

open carry permitted?

Yes

Yes, without a permit. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can open carry.

non-lethal weapons?

See details

STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit.

PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Vermont imposes no restrictions on size or concentration.

TEAR GAS Legal for self-defense but subject to general misuse laws.

BEAR SPRAY - Legal for self-defense against wildlife. No specific state restrictions, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.

BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are legal to own and carry in Vermont. Batons are not classified as "prohibited weapons," so they can be carried openly or concealed without a permit.

Items such as billy clubs, slapjacks, and nightsticks are also legal unless used with criminal intent.

BRASS KNUCKLES - Illegal under Vermont law. Brass knuckles are classified as "dangerous weapons," and their possession, sale, or carry is prohibited.

byrna's?

Yes

Yes. These are legal for purchase and possession. Byrna guns are not classified as firearms under Vermont law.

Handgun Purchase & Possession

background checks for private gun sales?

Yes

Yes. Firearm transfers must be completed through a licensed firearms dealer and require a background check. Exemptions include the following:

  • Transfers from one immediate family member to another immediate family member. This includes a spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, stepsibling, grandparent, stepgrandparent, grandchild, stepgrandchild, greatgrandparent, step-great-grandparent, greatgrandchild and step-great-grandchild
  • Transfers to another person in order to prevent imminent harm to any person, provided that this exception only applies while the risk of imminent harm exists

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4019(e)]

minimum age to possess and transport?

See details

16 years old. A person, firm or corporation, other than a parent or guardian, who sells or furnishes to a minor under the age of 16 years a firearm or other dangerous weapon or ammunition for firearms shall be fined not more than $50.00 nor less than $10.00. This section shall not apply to an instructor or teacher who furnishes firearms to pupils for instruction and drill. 

A child under the age of 16 years shall not, without the consent of his or her parents or guardian, have in his or her possession or control a pistol or revolver constructed or designed for the use of gunpowder or other explosive substance with leaden ball or shot. A child who violates a provision of this section shall be deemed a delinquent child under the provisions of chapter 52 of Title 33.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. §§ 4007 and 4008]

possess a handgun on private property without a permit?

Yes

Yes. Permitless carry is allowed in Vermont for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm.

purchase permits?

No

No. A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in Vermont.

handgun registration?

No

No. Handguns do not need to be registered in Vermont.

waiting period?

No

No. There is not a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Vermont. Starting July 1st, 2023, there will be a 72-hour waiting period to purchase firearms.

Important Concealed Carry Information

Top Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Permit Information For Vermont Residents

Concealed Carry Basics Faq

what are the knife laws in vermont?

See details

It is legal in Vermont to carry, openly or concealed, any type of legal knife, so long as you have no criminal intent and do not carry it onto school, school buses or government property. Switchblades with a blade that is 3 inches or longer are illegal. Municipalities may have additional restrictions. 

[13 V.S.A. §§ 4003, 4004, 4013 and 4016]

carry while gun hunting?

Yes

Yes, except When Turkey and Muzzle Loading Hunting.

[VT Fish & Wildlife Guide]

wear a covid mask & carry?

Yes

There is no known statute in Vermont making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

carry while bow hunting?

Yes

Yes. The holder of an archery license or a super sport license may possess a handgun while archery hunting, provided that the license holder shall not take game by firearm while archery hunting. 

[10 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4252]

hunter harassment law?

Yes

Yes. A person shall not intentionally interfere with the lawful taking of fish or wild animals.

[10 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 4708]

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Vermont Concealed Carry License Information

Vermont Concealed Carry Permit Information

Vermont does not issue permits and therefore there is no application process.

Vermont is a Constitutional Carry state which does not require permits for residents and visitors to carry firearms within the state. As long as you are legally allowed to possess a firearm under state and federal law, you can carry.

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How to get a Vermont Concealed Weapons Permit

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Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?

Yes

Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry in bars or restaurants, unless posted.

store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?

See details

Not addressed in Vermont state law.

carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?

Yes

Yes. Carrying a concealed firearm is allowed in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas in Vermont.

[State Park Rules I.b.2]

carry in vehicle?

Yes

Yes, without a permit.

carry/possess at a hotel?

See details

Vermont statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

carry at roadside rest areas?

Yes

Yes. Concealed carry is allowed at roadside rest areas in Vermont.

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Vermont Self-Defense Laws

Self-Defense

Vermont does not have a Castle Doctrine or a “stand your ground” law, but courts have consistently ruled that there is no duty to retreat when attacked in one’s dwelling.

If a person kills or wounds another under any of the circumstances enumerated below, he or she shall be guiltless:

  • In the just and necessary defense of his or her own life or the life of his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister, master, mistress, servant, guardian or ward; or
  • In the suppression of a person attempting to commit murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, burglary or robbery with force or violence.

[Vt. Stat. Ann. § 2305]

 

Vermont Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-09

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2022-03-28

Added S. 4

2021-02-22

Added info on VT Supreme Court upholding the high-capacity magazine ban in At A Glance table

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