Vermont is a constitutional carry state that does not issue a gun license for the possession of firearms.

However, regardless of the absence of a pistol permit, there are gun statutes you must familiarize yourself with before the possession of firearms in the state.

Vermont Gun Permit Summary

Vermont does not issue a gun permit for the possession of firearms in the state. It is a permitless carry state.

Anybody under the age of twenty-one that wants to buy a firearm must first complete a hunter course licensed by the state, must be a law enforcement officer or a member of the military, active or retired.

Vermont does not also issue a permit for the purchase of firearms, but licensed dealers must complete a criminal record check on the buyer.

There are no firearm registrations in the state.

How To Get A Gun Permit In Vermont?

Vermont does not issue pistol permits for the possession of firearms. However, it’s a permitless carry state. Hence you do not need a license to open or concealed carry.

Vermont Gun Permit Laws

Vermont is a permissive open carry state, and you can openly possess firearms as long as you are at least sixteen years old with legal rights for the possession of firearms.

Notwithstanding, there are places regarded as off-limits for both open and concealed carry of firearms, and they include the following:

  • Schools
  • Controlled areas
  • Courthouses
  • Federally prohibited places.

Vermont restricts the magazine limits for handguns in the state to be less than fifteen rounds.

The state enacted a law in twenty-eighteen to prohibit the manufacture, possession, sales, purchase, and importation of firearms with large ammunition capacity.

However, Vermont still has a grandfather exemption for this law. Firearms used before April twenty-eighteen are still legal in the state.

Other exemptions include firearms owned by law enforcement officers, licensed government officers, and professional shooting competitors in the state.

Vermont does not prohibit the possession, purchase, and transfer of machine guns as long as they are federally registered, and you comply with federal regulations while possessing them.

Also, there are no state laws against the possession of antique firearms or any weapon that looks like them.

However, according to the state attorney general, these types of firearms should not be in sales records because they use unconventional ammunition.

Vermont does not have laws prohibiting the possession and use of ammunition types in the state.

Vermont Pistol Permit Requirements

Vermont does not issue gun licenses for the possession of firearms in the state.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Vermont

A summary of firearms permits Issued in Vermont includes the following:

  • State permit to purchase long guns: Vermont does not issue a state permit to buy long guns.
  • State permits to purchase handguns: Vermont does not issue a state permit to purchase handguns.
  • State permit to open carry: Vermont is a permissive state, so no license is required to open carry.
  • State permits to conceal carry long guns: Vermont does not issue a state permit to conceal long guns.
  • State permits to conceal carry handguns: Vermont issues a pistol permit to conceal carry guns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Vermont?

Vermont does not issue pistol permits for the possession of firearms in the state.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Vermont?

Vermont does not issue pistol permits from the possession of firearms in the state.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Vermont

Vermont is a constitutional state, and anyone, resident or non-resident, that meets the required age can open or conceal carry within its territory.

Other aspects of its reciprocity include the following:

States That Recognize Vermont Pistol Permit

Vermont does not issue a gun license, so if you are a resident, you may need to obtain non-resident permits from other states to possess firearms within their territory.

States That Do Not Require A Pistol Permit For The Possession Of Firearms

These states are constitutional states with permitless carry policy, and you do not need to have a gun license from any jurisdiction to possess firearms as long as you satisfy all other requirements. They are:

  • Arizona
  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In Vermont

Some of the most frequently asked questions about the possession of firearms in Vermont include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Vermont?

No, Vermont does not issue a gun permit for either concealed carry or any manner of firearm possession in the state.

For How Long Is Vermont Pistol Permit Valid?

Vermont does not issue a pistol permit.

Can Non-Residents Possess Firearms In Vermont?

Yes, non-residents can open or conceal carry firearms in Vermont as long as they meet the required age of sixteen, and they do not have restrictions or prohibition against weapons possession.

However, the federal age for firearm possession is eighteen years old.

Do I Need A Permit To Open Carry In Vermont?

No, Vermont is a permissive open carry and a shall-not-issue state, so you do not need a permit to possess firearms or open carry.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In Vermont?

No, Vermont does not issue a permit for the purchase of firearms.

Do I Need To Complete A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Vermont?

Yes, you can only purchase firearms through a licensed dealer in Vermont, and you must complete a criminal record check before you can buy it. The only exemptions are:

  • Transfer of firearms between immediate members of a family.
  • Transfer of firearms to prevent injury to oneself or another person.

Can I Possess Firearms On My Private Property In Vermont?

Yes, Vermont permitless carry for firearms extends to private properties like dwelling places, personal workplaces, and private vehicles.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Possessing Firearms In Vermont?

No, Vermont does not require a firearm training for the possession of a gun or dangerous weapons in the state.

Does Vermont Have Ammunition And Firearm Restrictions?

Vermont allows the use of machine guns and semi-automatic weapons that are federally licensed, but the handler must comply with federal laws at all times.

Large capacity firearms with more than fifteen round magazines are illegal in Vermont.

Does Vermont Have Castle Doctrine Policy?

There is no castle doctrine policy in Vermont, but the state courts consistently rule that there is no duty to retreat an attack as long as a person is in a place where they have legal rights.

Does Vermont Allow The Use OF Deadly Force During Self Defense?

Yes. The law states that anybody that kills or injures a person will not be guilty in the following circumstances:

  • During self-defense or in defense of the life of a spouse, children, parents, or guardian.
  • To prevent an attack that could lead to murder, sexual assault, robbery, or any form of violence.

Is Vermont A Preemption Gun Law State?

Vermont is a preemption gun law state, and the government has all the rights to regulate the use of firearms within its jurisdiction.

However, municipalities have the right to control the use and discharge of firearms within their boundaries.

Can I Possess Firearms While Hunting In Vermont?

In Vermont, it is lawful to open carry firearms while hunting.

However, if you only have a permit for archery hunting, you can only make use of a handgun while hunting, and it is illegal to take down any animal with the firearm.

What Is The Age Requirement For The Possession Of Firearms 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 parents or guardians’ consent. Any child that violates this law will be treated as a juvenile delinquent, according to Vermont law.
  • Apart from the parent or guardian that sells or gives a firearm or any other weapon to a minor (a person under the age of sixteen), they 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 parents or guardians’ consent.

Relevant Gun Laws Permits And Legislature In Vermont

Vermont gun statutes relating to the possession of firearms in the state include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles

Vermont permits the possession of firearms in vehicles as long as you meet the minimum age requirement to carry guns.

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas

According to state laws, you can conceal carry firearms in roadside areas of the country.

Possession Of Firearms In State Forests, Parks, And Wildlife Management Areas

According to the statute, [State Park Rules I.b.2], you can possess firearms in the state, parks, and wildlife management areas.

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurant And Bar Areas

Except there is a post prohibiting the possession of firearms in restaurant and bar areas of Vermont.

Possession Of Firearms In Hotels

Vermont does not have gun laws against the possession of firearms in hotel premises. Each hotel or similar lodging establishment can develop a policy for the possession of weapons within their premises.

Before visiting a hotel, make sure that you check its website for more information on its possession and firearms regulations.

Possession Of Firearms While Hunting

Vermont gun law protects hunting practices.

To ensure 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 and fishing.
  • No one should be in a position to interfere or hinder 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.

No Weapons Allowed Sign

Vermont enforces the no weapon signage in the state.

Anybody that trespasses a building prohibiting the possession of firearms, without consent from the owner or authority in charge, is guilty of an offense.

Punishment for this violation is a maximum of three months’ imprisonment, or a fine of five hundred dollars, or both.

The state law explains that nobody shall trespass on any land where:

  • There is communication to prohibit firearms by the landowner or anybody representing the authority of the place.
  • There is signage, or any kind of post erected to notify the public against possession of firearms on the premises.
  • There are signs or placards posted by the building owner, agent, or law enforcement officers, such that they provide reasonable notice before erecting such signage.

Red Flag Law

Vermont has a red flag policy for the use of firearms in the state.

The state attorney general can petition for an individual use of a firearm if they consider the person a risk to himself or herself and public safety.

The petition will request that a sitting judge prohibits such person from the possession, manufacturing, and purchase of firearms or any similar weapon in any jurisdiction of Vermont.

Additional Resources

Vermont Gun Laws
Vermont Concealed Carry Laws
Vermont Open Carry Laws

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