Application Process - Vermont Concealed Carry

No Permit Required (Constitutional Carry)

Vermont is a constitutional carry (also called "permitless carry") state. There is no state-issued concealed carry permit and therefore no application process for carrying a concealed firearm.

Any person who is legally allowed to possess a firearm under federal and state law may carry it concealed without a permit, license, or registration. Vermont has maintained this status since statehood, and the concept is often referred to nationally as "Vermont Carry."

Key Points

• No permit to apply for. Vermont does not issue concealed carry permits to residents or non-residents.
• No training requirement. The state does not mandate firearms safety courses for concealed carry.
• No fees. Because no permit exists, there are no application or renewal fees.
• No registration. Vermont does not maintain a firearms registry.

The Vermont State Police licensing page (vsp.vermont.gov/licensing) lists Assembly Permits, Precious Metal Dealer Licensing, Explosive Licenses, the Firearm Storage Program, and Scrap Metal Processor Obligations - but notably does not list any concealed carry permit program.

Eligibility to Carry

While no permit is needed, a person must still be legally eligible to possess a firearm under both federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) and Vermont state law. Prohibited persons include those who:

• Have been convicted of a felony
• Are subject to certain court orders (e.g., extreme risk protection orders under 13 V.S.A. § 4054)
• Are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms
• Are under 21 years of age for handgun purchases (13 V.S.A. § 4020), though possession restrictions differ from carry restrictions

Firearms Purchase Process (Not a Carry Permit)

While there is no concealed carry application, Vermont does require universal background checks for firearms transfers:

• 13 V.S.A. § 4019 requires that unlicensed persons transferring a firearm to another unlicensed person must do so through a licensed dealer who facilitates a background check via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
• If NICS does not provide a unique identification number within seven business days, the transfer may proceed (13 V.S.A. § 4019(d)(2)).
• Exemptions include transfers between immediate family members, transfers involving law enforcement, and emergency transfers to prevent imminent harm (13 V.S.A. § 4019(f)).

Additional State Restrictions (Not Permit-Related)

Vermont has enacted several firearms regulations that do not involve a permit system but affect lawful carry:

• Large capacity magazine restrictions (13 V.S.A. § 4021): Magazines exceeding 10 rounds for long guns or 15 rounds for handguns are generally prohibited, with exceptions for devices lawfully possessed before April 11, 2018.
• Extreme risk protection orders ("red flag" law): Courts may temporarily restrict firearm possession.
• Bump stock prohibition.

Reciprocity Considerations

Because Vermont does not issue permits, there is no reciprocity framework - Vermont does not recognize other states' permits (none is needed), and other states cannot recognize a Vermont permit (none exists). Vermonters traveling to other states must comply with those states' concealed carry laws and may need to obtain a non-resident permit from those states.

Relevant Statutes

Last reviewed: April 2026. Vermont's constitutional carry status has been in effect since statehood and no pending legislation to change this status has been identified in the provided sources.