Vermont allows permitless concealed carry for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm under 13 V.S.A. § 4003. No permit is required or issued for carry. Prohibited places include schools and courthouses (13 V.S.A. § 4016). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Costs: None.
Processing Time: N/A.
Renewal: N/A.
Reciprocity: Vermont does not issue permits; relies on permitless carry recognition elsewhere.
Sources: [1]
Vermont allows open carry without a permit for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm (13 V.S.A. § 4003). Restrictions apply in schools and courthouses (13 V.S.A. § 4016). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Sources: [1]
Vermont bans magazines over 10 rounds for rifles and 15 rounds for handguns (13 V.S.A. § 4021). No state bans on assault weapons. Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (13 V.S.A. § 4010). Violations of magazine limits are misdemeanors (up to 1 year); federal NFA violations are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
Vermont follows federal law for dealer sales requiring a background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). Age minimum is 21 for handguns from dealers, 18 for possession or private sales, and 18 for long guns; raised to 21 for all sales (13 V.S.A. § 4020). No state waiting period or permit required. Private sales require a background check. Violations of selling to prohibited persons (13 V.S.A. § 4019) are felonies (up to 3 years).
Costs: Background check is free; dealers may charge $10-$25.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
Vermont imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under 13 V.S.A. § 4003, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement Vermont recognizes in 13 V.S.A. § 4010. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
Vermont requires firearms to be locked if a child under 18 or prohibited person is likely to access them (13 V.S.A. § 4024). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 1 year, $1,000) if used in a crime or threat, or felonies (up to 5 years, $5,000) if causing death or serious injury. Transfer to minors under 16 is restricted (13 V.S.A. § 4019).
Sources: [1]
Vermont has a moderate Castle Doctrine under 13 V.S.A. § 2305. Deadly force is justified in your home if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm, but there’s a duty to retreat if safe. Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 20 years).
Sources: [1]