Gun Laws Vermont

Overview: Vermont permits both open and concealed carry of firearms without a permit for individuals aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess them. In 2018, the state implemented universal background checks for all firearm sales, raised the minimum purchasing age to 21 (with exceptions for certain long gun purchases), and banned the sale of handgun magazines exceeding 15 rounds and rifle magazines over 10 rounds. Vermont also enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order law, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat. In 2023, legislation introduced a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases and mandated secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the state prohibits the possession of firearms in schools, bars, and on state capitol grounds. Vermont does not issue carry permits, which may affect residents traveling to states that require such permits for reciprocity.

Vermont Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources

Question	Answer
Does Vermont have an Assault Weapons Ban?	🚫 No state-level assault weapons ban, but in 2018 Vermont limited magazines—10 rounds for rifles, 15 for handguns (grandfathered pre‑2018).
Are background checks required for private gun sales?	✅ Yes. Since 2018, private transfers require vendor-mediated background checks.
Are background checks required through FFL dealers?	✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
Is Vermont a Stand Your Ground state?	✅ Yes. No permit requirement and no duty to retreat under state and common law.
What kind of restrictions does Vermont have?	ℹ️ Constitutional (permitless) carry for all ages 16+ openly or concealed ℹ️ No permit required for purchase or possession ℹ️ New safe-storage law (Act 45, 2023) creates child-access and negligent storage penalties
Does Vermont have any gun storage laws?	✅ Yes. Act 45 (2023) mandates safe storage and penalizes negligent access by minors.
Can you buy firearms in bulk in Vermont?	✅ Yes. No state limits on quantities.
Does Vermont have a red flag law?	✅ Yes. Allows risk-based extreme-risk protection orders since 2018.
Age to purchase firearms?	ℹ️ 18+ for long guns, ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers. ℹ️ 16+ may buy long guns from private sellers with hunter-ed certificate.
Do I have to register my guns in Vermont?	🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement.
Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?	🚫 No. Only federally required NICS applies, plus state private-transfer checks.
Does Vermont have a waiting period for firearms?	✅ Yes. Act 45 (2023) instituted a 72‑hour waiting period for firearms purchases.

Does Vermont have an Assault Weapons Ban?

🚫 No state-level assault weapons ban, but in 2018 Vermont limited magazines—10 rounds for rifles, 15 for handguns (grandfathered pre‑2018).

Are background checks required for private gun sales?

✅ Yes. Since 2018, private transfers require vendor-mediated background checks.

Are background checks required through FFL dealers?

✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.

Is Vermont a Stand Your Ground state?

✅ Yes. No permit requirement and no duty to retreat under state and common law.

What kind of restrictions does Vermont have?

ℹ️ Constitutional (permitless) carry for all ages 16+ openly or concealed
ℹ️ No permit required for purchase or possession
ℹ️ New safe-storage law (Act 45, 2023) creates child-access and negligent storage penalties

Does Vermont have any gun storage laws?

✅ Yes. Act 45 (2023) mandates safe storage and penalizes negligent access by minors.

Can you buy firearms in bulk in Vermont?

✅ Yes. No state limits on quantities.

Does Vermont have a red flag law?

✅ Yes. Allows risk-based extreme-risk protection orders since 2018.

Age to purchase firearms?

ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
ℹ️ 16+ may buy long guns from private sellers with hunter-ed certificate.

Do I have to register my guns in Vermont?

🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement.

Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?

🚫 No. Only federally required NICS applies, plus state private-transfer checks.

Does Vermont have a waiting period for firearms?

✅ Yes. Act 45 (2023) instituted a 72‑hour waiting period for firearms purchases.

Question	Answer
Does Vermont allow Open Carry?	✅ Legal without a permit for anyone aged 16 and older—no license needed.
Does Vermont allow Concealed Carry?	✅ Legal without a permit for ages 16+, under Vermont’s constitutional carry.
Non‑Lethal Weapons?	✅ Legal to carry pepper spray or stun devices without a permit.
Places allowed to carry?	✅ Most public areas, private property (with permission), and vehicles—no state permit means no carry-specific site restrictions.
Places not allowed to carry?	🚫 Restricted in schools, courthouses, and other posted locations under 13 V.S.A.§ 4004.
States honored?	✅ Vermont doesn’t issue permits, so reciprocity doesn’t apply. However, permit holders from other states are allowed to carry (open & concealed) in Vermont per constitutional carry:
States reciprocate?	✅ All U.S. carry permit holders and those legally allowed to carry 18+ may carry in VT under constitutional carry.
Permit duration & renewal?	ℹ️ Vermont doesn't have permits.
Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?	🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
Permit Licensure?	🚫 Not applicable, no permits are issued by Vermont.

Does Vermont allow Open Carry?

✅ Legal without a permit for anyone aged 16 and older—no license needed.

Does Vermont allow Concealed Carry?

✅ Legal without a permit for ages 16+, under Vermont’s constitutional carry.

Non‑Lethal Weapons?

✅ Legal to carry pepper spray or stun devices without a permit.

Places allowed to carry?

✅ Most public areas, private property (with permission), and vehicles—no state permit means no carry-specific site restrictions.

Places not allowed to carry?

🚫 Restricted in schools, courthouses, and other posted locations under 13 V.S.A.§ 4004.

States honored?

✅ Vermont doesn’t issue permits, so reciprocity doesn’t apply. However, permit holders from other states are **allowed to carry** (open & concealed) in Vermont per constitutional carry:

States reciprocate?

✅ All U.S. carry permit holders and those legally allowed to carry 18+ may carry in VT under constitutional carry.

Permit duration & renewal?

ℹ️ Vermont doesn't have permits.

Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?

🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.

Permit Licensure?

🚫 Not applicable, no permits are issued by Vermont.

Resources	Links
Official Licensing & State Info	VT Dept. of Public Safety – New gun laws FAQ (storage, background checks, mag limits) HandgunLaw.us – Comprehensive PDF of Vermont gun statutes & FAQs
Online & In‑Person Training	Vermont ConcealedCarry.com – Peer support & resources (no permits issued) Battlbox Guide – Training recommendations in VT
Local Hunting & Field‑Day Classes	eRegulations – Field-day hunter education schedule and signup
Hunter Education	Hunter‑Ed.com – Official Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. online course & certificate eRegulations – In‑person field‑day schedules across Vermont