Fees & Costs for Carrying Concealed in Vermont

No Permit Required - No Permit Fees

Vermont is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state and has been since its founding. Vermont does not issue concealed carry permits, and no permit, license, fee, or registration is required for a person who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry it concealed. Vermont was the first state in the nation to allow permitless carry and has never had a concealed carry permit system.

As a result, there are no state fees associated with:

• Concealed carry permits or licenses
• Permit applications, renewals, or background checks for carry purposes
• Training requirements mandated by the state for concealed carry

Note: Because Vermont does not issue a carry permit, Vermont residents cannot obtain a state-issued permit for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states that require one. Residents who wish to carry in other states must obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers them.

---

Private Firearms Transfer Fees

Under 13 V.S.A. § 4019, private (unlicensed) firearm transfers must generally be facilitated through a federally licensed dealer (FFL) who conducts a background check. The law provides:

• A licensed dealer may charge a reasonable fee to facilitate the transfer between private parties. (13 V.S.A. § 4019(c)(3))
• The specific fee amount is not set by statute - it is at the dealer's discretion, provided it is "reasonable."
• Typical FFL transfer fees in Vermont range from approximately $25-$50, though this varies by dealer.

Exemptions from the private transfer requirement (no FFL fee needed):

• Transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, and step-relatives) (13 V.S.A. § 4019(f)(3))
• Transfers to/from law enforcement agencies or officers acting in official duties
• Emergency transfers to prevent imminent harm

---

Firearm Storage Fees (Relief from Abuse Orders)

Under 20 V.S.A. § 2307, when firearms are relinquished pursuant to a court-issued relief from abuse order, storage fees may apply:

Law Enforcement Storage Fees (20 V.S.A. § 2307(d)(1))

• Fees are prorated on the number of months stored
• Fees do not begin to accrue until after the court issues a final relief from abuse order (15 V.S.A. § 1103)

Federally Licensed Dealer Storage Fees (20 V.S.A. § 2307(d)(2))

• Dealers may charge a fee reasonably related to their expenses
• Dealers must provide a copy of their fee schedule to the court

Failure to Retrieve Stored Firearms

• If the owner fails to retrieve firearms and pay storage fees within 90 days of a court order releasing the items, the firearms may be sold at fair market value (20 V.S.A. § 2307(g)(2)(A))
• Sale proceeds are applied first to unpaid storage fees, with any remainder returned to the owner

---

Criminal Fines for Firearms Violations

While not "fees" in the traditional sense, these are potential financial costs associated with Vermont firearms law violations:

Possession in School Buildings or on School Property (13 V.S.A. § 4004)

Private Transfer Violations (13 V.S.A. § 4019(e))

Large Capacity Magazine Violations (13 V.S.A. § 4021(b))

Note: Magazines lawfully possessed before April 11, 2018 are grandfathered. Limits are >10 rounds for long guns, >15 rounds for handguns.

Negligent Firearms Storage (13 V.S.A. § 4024)

---

Summary of Direct Costs to Lawful Carriers

---

Sources: 13 V.S.A. §§ 4004, 4019, 4021, 4024; 20 V.S.A. § 2307; Vermont Legislature (legislature.vermont.gov). Information current as of April 2026.