Where You Cannot Carry in Vermont: Prohibited Places

Prohibited Places

Vermont is a constitutional carry state with no permit required to carry a concealed firearm. As a result, the list of state-level prohibited locations is relatively limited compared to many other states. However, several specific prohibitions exist under state law, administrative rules, and recent legislation.

Schools - 13 V.S.A. § 4004

No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon:

• In a school building - Violation is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine for a first offense; up to 3 years and/or $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
• On a school bus - Same penalties as school buildings.
• On school property with intent to injure - Punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine for a first offense; up to 5 years and/or $5,000 for subsequent offenses.

"School property" is defined broadly as any property owned, leased, controlled, or subcontracted by a school, including motor vehicles.

Exceptions:

• Law enforcement officers engaged in duties
• Possession authorized by the school board, superintendent, or principal for specific occasions, instructional purposes, or other specific purposes

(Amended most recently by 2017, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 21, 2018)

Courthouses

Firearms have been prohibited in Vermont courthouses since 1993. Vermont law also prohibits civil arrests (including those related to civil immigration proceedings) inside courthouses, as clarified by a 2022 legislative amendment (Vermont Act 152, S.140, eff. May 31, 2022).

State House

A state facility rule prohibits firearms in the Vermont State House in Montpelier. However, this is an administrative rule with no criminal penalties attached to its violation. The Commissioner of Buildings and General Services has noted the existing rules are working but has suggested it may make sense to clarify rules around the surrounding grounds.

Polling Places - Act 120 (2024)

The Vermont Legislature passed Act 120 in 2024, which prohibits firearms at polling locations on election days.

Establishments Serving Alcohol - Burlington (S.131)

Burlington passed a charter amendment, approved by public vote and authorized by S.131 in the state legislature, that prohibits carrying or possessing a firearm in any building or on any premises licensed to serve alcohol for on-site consumption. This law expressly supersedes Vermont's municipal preemption statutes (24 V.S.A. §§ 2291(8) and 2295). Exceptions exist for law enforcement, military personnel, and the business owner (if not otherwise prohibited by law). Note that this restriction currently applies only in Burlington, not statewide.

Municipal Buildings - No Current Statewide Ban

Vermont does not currently have a statewide prohibition on firearms in municipal buildings such as town halls. Under the Sportsman's Bill of Rights (24 V.S.A. § 2295), municipalities are generally preempted from enacting their own firearms regulations.

However, in January 2025, the Vermont Secretary of State's office published a report recommending that the legislature consider a statewide ban on possessing or carrying firearms on state or municipal property. The report recommended allowing towns to opt out if voters choose to permit firearms. As of April 2026, no statewide legislation enacting this recommendation has been passed.

Federal Prohibited Locations

Standard federal prohibitions also apply in Vermont, including but not limited to:

• Federal buildings and courthouses (18 U.S.C. § 930)
• Post offices and postal facilities
• Military installations
• Airports (beyond security checkpoints, per TSA regulations)
• National parks buildings (though carrying is generally allowed in the parks themselves under state law)

Negligent Storage - 13 V.S.A. § 4024

While not a "prohibited place" per se, Vermont law (effective July 1, 2023) imposes criminal liability on persons who store firearms accessible to children (under 18) or prohibited persons:

• Up to 1 year / $1,000 if the child or prohibited person uses the firearm to commit a crime or displays it threateningly
• Up to 5 years / $5,000 if it results in death or serious bodily injury

Licensed firearms dealers must also display warning signs about safe storage at point-of-sale locations.

Key Notes for Permit Holders

• Vermont has no state-issued concealed carry permit (constitutional carry since historically no permit has been required). Vermont does not issue permits, so there is no permit that grants access to additional locations.
• The Sportsman's Bill of Rights (24 V.S.A. § 2295) generally prevents municipalities from enacting local firearms restrictions, with narrow exceptions like Burlington's S.131 charter amendment.
• Private property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises - while not a criminal violation, failure to leave when asked could result in trespassing charges.
• Always verify current law, as legislative proposals (such as the Secretary of State's 2025 recommendation for government building bans) may result in new restrictions.