Nfa Items | Vermont Concealed Carry

NFA Items in Vermont

Vermont regulates certain National Firearms Act (NFA) items at the state level, with the most detailed provisions addressing gun suppressors (silencers). Vermont does not have a state-level permit system for concealed carry (constitutional carry state), and NFA item possession generally follows federal law with specific state-level use restrictions.

Gun Suppressors (Silencers)

Governing Statute: 13 V.S.A. § 4010

Definition

Under Vermont law, a "gun suppressor" means any device for muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts designed or redesigned and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a gun suppressor, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.

Possession & Ownership

Suppressors are legal to possess in Vermont, provided the owner complies with all federal requirements, including:

• Payment of the $200 NFA tax stamp
• Passing the ATF federal background check
• Proper registration with the ATF

Manufacturing & Importation Restrictions

Manufacturing, making, or importing a gun suppressor is restricted to (13 V.S.A. § 4010(b)):

1. Licensed manufacturers as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, registered pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802
2. Licensed importers as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, registered pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802
3. Individuals who make a suppressor in compliance with 26 U.S.C. § 5822 (ATF Form 1 process)

Authorized Uses

Suppressor use within Vermont is permitted for (13 V.S.A. § 4010(c)):

1. Law enforcement - Level III certified officers or Department of Fish and Wildlife employees in connection with official duties
2. Vermont National Guard - in connection with official duties
3. Licensed manufacturers/importers - testing suppressor operation in the ordinary course of business
4. Sport shooting ranges - any person lawfully using a sport shooting range (as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 5227(a))
5. Hunting - any person taking game as authorized under 10 V.S.A. § 4701

Penalties

• Illegal manufacture/import (violation of § 4010(b)): Fine of not less than $500.00 per offense
• Unauthorized use (violation of § 4010(c)): Fine of $50.00 per offense

Legislative History

The current suppressor law reflects over a decade of legislative effort:

• 2015: Statute amended to expand suppressor provisions (Act 141 of 2013 Adj. Sess., eff. July 1, 2015; Act 61 of 2015, eff. July 2, 2015)
• July 1, 2022: S. 281 (Act 165 of 2021 Adj. Sess.) temporarily legalized suppressor use for hunting with a two-year sunset provision
• June 6, 2024: Governor Phil Scott signed H. 878 (Act 161 of 2023 Adj. Sess.) into law, permanently removing the sunset provision and codifying suppressor use for both hunting and recreational shooting
• July 1, 2024: Permanent authorization took effect

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Pat Brennan (R-Colchester) and Rep. George Till (D-Jericho), with support from the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), and the American Suppressor Association (ASA).

Other NFA Items

Vermont does not impose state-level prohibitions beyond federal law on the following NFA items:

All NFA items require compliance with the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53), including ATF registration, background checks, and applicable tax payments.

Note: While Vermont state law is generally permissive regarding NFA items, all owners must independently verify compliance with current federal regulations. Federal law governs registration, transfer, and tax requirements for all NFA items regardless of state law.