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Vermont is the only state in America that does not issue a permit for concealed carry. Therefore, it is a does-not-issue state.

You can buy firearms in Vermont only through a licensed dealer in the state. The only exception to this is the transfer of firearms between family members.

If you are under twenty-one years old, there are some requirements to meet before you complete the purchase of firearms in the state. They include the following:

  • You must complete a hunter course in the state.
  • You must be a member of the military or a law enforcement agency, either active or retired.

Vermont Gun Laws

Concealed carry is lawful in Vermont, and you do not require a permit to do so. 

Anybody above the age of sixteen can generally possess a firearm and conceal carry in the state.

This law applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Therefore, Vermont has a permitless policy for CCW in the state.

Vermont CCW Permit Reciprocity

Since Vermont does not issue a CCW permit, residents cannot conceal carry in other states of the USA.

Other aspects of Vermont CCW reciprocity includes the following:

  • States that Vermont will accept their CCW permit: Vermont is a permitless carry state, and you can conceal carry in the state with or without a CCW permit. Therefore, non-residents can conceal carry freely. However, except if you are a resident of the state, you must meet the age requirement of eighteen before you can conceal carry in Vermont.
  • States with permitless carry policy: Just like Vermont, these states will allow you to conceal carry in their territory without a CCW permit. As a resident of Vermont without a permit, these are the only states you can handle your firearm outside Vermont. There are thirteen of them.

Even states with permitless carry have various laws that restrict how a person can handle a firearm in their territory.

Hence, make sure that you obey this at all times, and you always meet the age requirements to conceal carry in these states.

Location Restriction For The Possession Of Firearm In Vermont

There are some places regarded as off-limits in Vermont where you cannot conceal carry or possess a firearm.

You can be charged to court for violating this law.

Therefore, it is imperative that you know the areas where you can conceal carry and those where it is not allowed in Vermont.

Places Where You Cannot Conceal Carry in Vermont

  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in preteen schools, elementary schools, or high schools. This includes all school buildings and school buses or vehicles used to convey students.
  • You cannot conceal carry in places like the Mud Creek Hunting controlled area, Alburg.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in properties used for residential treatment.
  • You cannot conceal carry in private properties without seeking permission from those in charge of the property.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry on game reserves areas of the state.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in courthouses, offices within court premises, and during a court proceeding.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any state building or a state-owned institution.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in places restricted by federal law of the USA.

Places Where You Can Conceal Carry In Vermont

There are places where Vermont does not restrict the possession of firearms on their premises. They include the following:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can conceal carry in restaurant and bar areas, except there is a post restricting the possession of firearms in these places.
  • Personal cars: You can conceal carry in your private vehicle.
  • State/National parks and forests: You can conceal carry in both state and national forests and parks, as well as in wildlife management areas.
  • Places of worship: There are no laws in Vermont that prohibit the possession of firearms in places of worship such as mosques, churches, and synagogues. However, since these places are also private properties, they can carry signage that restricts the possession of firearms in their premises.
  • Hotels: There is no law about concealed carry in hotels. Hotels in the state have their privacy policies concerning concealed carry, so you have to contact the management to find out about this.

Concealed Carry For Law Enforcement Officers In Vermont

According to the United States Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, officers of the law can conceal carry in any jurisdiction of the country without any prohibition or limitation by gun laws in states, municipalities, or counties.

This means that location restrictions cannot hinder officers of the law from concealed carry.

Officers, in the context of this act, refers to active, out of service and retired officers.

In Vermont, every law enforcement agency in the state will be responsible for how they qualify their retired officers for concealed carry in the state.

Note that only retired officers that complete the qualification process, according to LEOSA, can conceal carry without location restriction in the state.

Buying And Selling of Firearms In Vermont

Another important aspect of gun law in Vermont is the sales, purchase, transportation, possession, and transfer of firearms in the state, as well as the regulations and requirements that guide them.

Purchase Permits And Handgun Registration In Vermont

There are no purchase permits requirements for buying firearms in Vermont; neither are there run registration policies.

Also, like some states in the USA, Vermont does not have a firearm roster for accepted guns in the state.

Criminal Record Background Check In Vermont

Before buying a firearm in Vermont, you must complete the criminal record background check via a licensed seller in the state.

The exemptions to this law include the following:

  • The transfer of a firearm from one member of an immediate family to another. This is only limited to spouses, parents, children, brothers, sisters, stepparents, step-siblings, grandparents, step-grandparent, grandchildren.
  • Transfer to someone to prevent the potential danger of a person, as long as this exception has no do with limiting risk.

Waiting Period For Firearm Purchase In Vermont

There is no waiting period for the purchase of firearms in Vermont, as long as your background check is complete, you can buy the firearm.

Age Requirement For The Possession Of Firearm In Vermont

You must be at least sixteen years old before you can possess a firearm in Vermont.

The law that guides age requirements for the possession of a firearm in this state include:

  • A child under the required age of sixteen cannot possess a firearm, or any other concealed carry weapons without consent from parents or guardians. Vermont law will treat any child that violates this law as a juvenile delinquent according.
  • Anybody apart from the parent or guardian that sells or gives a firearm or any other CCW to a minor (a person under the age of sixteen) will get a fine of between the range of ten to fifty dollars. The only exception to this law is a teacher or firearm instructor putting mirrors through a training course with the consent of parents or guardians.

Possession Of Firearms On Private Properties

You can possess a gun in your home of residence, your place of business, or any other property that you own either by lease or rent.

Castle Doctrine Law In Vermont

Although there is no provision for castle doctrine in Vermont, the state court continuously favors the no duty to retreat policy for attacks in dwelling places.

The law related to this states that if someone kills or seriously injures another person, the person will not be guilty in the following situations:

  • While trying to defend his or her life, a family member, or any other person he or she is responsible for and presently in the dwelling place.
  • While trying to prevent an intruder or someone committing illegal acts such as the following: Armed robbery, burglary, a violent act, rape, or any form of sexual assault.

Concealed Carry While Hunting In Vermont

Vermont gun law protects hunting practices. 

To make sure you do not violate or infringe on any hunting activity in the state, you must be familiar with law guiding the practice.

Concealed Carry During Hunting In Vermont

You can conceal carry while hunting in Vermont, except for turkey and muzzle hunting.

Conceal Carry While Bow Hunting In Vermont

You can conceal carry while bow hunting if you are a licensed archer. 

However, on this occasion, you must not use the firearm to take down a game. It is only for self-protection.

Hunter Harassment Law In Vermont

On no occasion shall anyone deliberately interfere with or disturb hunting activities in Vermont, and this includes fishing and wildlife.

The law includes the following:

  • No one should tamper with equipment like traps, nets, hunting baits, or any other instrument for hunting as well as fishing.
  • No one should be in a position of interfering or hindering activities such as fishing, trapping, and hunting.
  • No one should be involved in any activity that disturbs, interferes, harasses the natural habitats of fishes and wildlife.  
  • Also, these laws shall not be manipulated in such a way that farmers, recreationalists, or land users affect the activities of hunting in the state.

Additional Gun Laws For CCW In Vermont

Here are some basic gun laws for your day to day concealed carry in Vermont

Notifying Law Enforcement Officer About Firearm Possession

You are not required to tell an officer that you possess a firearm or conceal carry in Vermont.

Handgun Magazine Restriction

In Vermont, the limit for firearm magazine is fifteen. 

Since two thousand and eighteen, the state legislature has prohibited the manufacturing, importation, buying, and selling of high-end ammunition for firearms.

However, there are some exceptions to this restriction:

  • Firearms for law enforcement officers.
  • Firearms for government officials.
  • Firearms for a gun shooting competition.

Laws For Signage Prohibiting Possession Of Firearm

In Vermont, private building owners can use a post or signage to restrict the possession of firearms in their buildings.

Anyone that does not respect this post, or does not seek permission from those in charge of the building is guilty and will be imprisoned for not more than three months, and/or pay a fine not more than five hundred dollars.

Local Laws For Concealed Carry Permit In Vermont

Although the state government owns paramount reservations for concealed carry in the state, municipalities and counties can have further restrictions for the handling of firearms within their territory.

Brandishing Of Firearms In Vermont

There is no state law in Vermont concerning the brandishing of firearms. However, in a situation where anyone points or aims and shoots at someone deliberately, the person will be punished accordingly.

The only exception to this is in self-defense, or while carrying out a duty as a law enforcement officer.

Red Flag Law In Vermont

Vermont has a red flag law against anyone perceived as dangerous or in need of a protection order.

A court of law in the state will issue the red flag restriction upon a petition filed by the office of the state’s attorney general.

Therefore, such a person will not be able to buy, sell, possess, or own a firearm or any other CCW in the state.

Concealed Carry Under The Influence Of Alcohol

Although there is Vermont law about handling a firearm in an intoxicated state, it is your responsibility as a citizen of America to always handle your firearm in a stable state.

Alcohol or any other intoxicating substance can affect your judgment in certain situations. This can lead to very terrible decision making you may eventually regret.

So make sure you refrain from this act.

Firearm Training In Vermont

Since there are no Vermont CCW permit requirements, there is no firearm training in the state too.

However, it is a recommendation that you undergo personal training for yourself as a responsible armed American.

You can undergo online training for this purpose.

Vermont Concealed Carry FAQ.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about CCW in Vermont.

Is It Legal To Conceal Carry A Knife In Vermont?

As long as you have no intent to use the knife for criminal activity, you can conceal carry.

How Can I Apply For Vermont CCW Permit Application?

Vermont does not issue CCW Permits.

Can I Conceal Carry In Roadside Areas Of Vermont?

Yes, concealed carry is allowed in roadside areas.

Additional Resources

Vermont Gun Laws
Vermont Open Carry Laws
Vermont Gun Permit Laws

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