Vermont does not have a specific "Castle Doctrine" or "Stand Your Ground" statute. Instead, Vermont relies on common law self-defense principles...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Vermont does not have a specific "Castle Doctrine" or "Stand Your Ground" statute. Instead, Vermont relies on common law self-defense principles preserved by statute, which provide broad protections for individuals who use force - including deadly force - in self-defense or defense of others. Vermont is widely recognized as a stand your ground state by tradition and common law, meaning there is no statutory duty to retreat before using force in self-defense.
Under 13 V.S.A. § 2305, a person is guiltless if they kill or wound another person under the following circumstances:
| Element | Standard |
|---|---|
| Threat requirement | Imminent peril of death or serious harm |
| Belief standard | Reasonable belief |
| Duty to retreat | None (no statutory duty to retreat) |
| Applies to | Defense of self and defense of others |
| Location | No distinction between home, vehicle, or public - protections apply universally |
13 V.S.A. § 2305(b) explicitly states that the statute "shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon defenses granted at common law." This is significant because Vermont's common law self-defense principles include:
While Vermont lacks a codified Castle Doctrine, common law has long recognized that a person has no obligation to retreat from their own home before using force, including deadly force, against an intruder who poses a threat of death or serious bodily harm. The inclusion of burglary in the list of enumerated offenses in § 2305(a)(2) reinforces protections for homeowners confronting intruders.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| 13 V.S.A. § 2305 | Justifiable homicide - primary self-defense statute |
| 13 V.S.A. § 2306 | Justifiable homicide - killing in suppression of a riot |
| 20 V.S.A. § 2368 | Law enforcement use of force standards (referenced in § 2305) |
This page covers one part of our Vermont concealed carry guide.
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