Vermont is one of the original "constitutional carry" states and has never required a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Any person who is legally...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Vermont is one of the original "constitutional carry" states and has never required a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Any person who is legally entitled to possess a firearm may carry it concealed in Vermont without obtaining any license or permit. This has been Vermont's legal framework since statehood, predating the modern concealed carry permit movement.
Because Vermont does not have a permit system, the concept of "reciprocity" operates differently than in other states.
Vermont does not issue concealed weapons permits of any kind. This is confirmed by multiple state authorities, including the Montana Department of Justice and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO Report GAO-12-717). As a result:
Since Vermont does not require a concealed carry permit:
Multiple states recognize this status. For example, Pennsylvania lists Vermont with the "∞" (infinity) symbol, indicating "Unilateral Recognition by another state" - meaning Pennsylvania concealed carry license holders can carry in Vermont not because of an agreement, but because Vermont simply does not require a permit from anyone.
This is the primary challenge for Vermont residents regarding reciprocity. Since Vermont issues no permits, Vermont residents cannot rely on a home-state permit when traveling to states that require one. Options include:
Permitless carry states - Vermont residents may carry without a permit in other states that have adopted constitutional/permitless carry laws (e.g., Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and others that have since adopted permitless carry)
Non-resident permits - Vermont residents should apply for a non-resident concealed carry permit from a state that issues them (such as Florida, Utah, Arizona, or others). These non-resident permits can then be used in states that have reciprocity with the issuing state. Note: Pennsylvania specifically lists Vermont among states whose residents cannot apply for a Pennsylvania concealed carry license.
Research destination state laws - Each state has its own rules regarding which permits it honors and whether permitless carry applies to non-residents. Some states restrict permitless carry to their own residents only (e.g., North Dakota and Tennessee have residency restrictions on permitless carry).
Because Vermont does not issue permits, the relevant question for Vermont residents is which states allow carrying without any permit. As of the most recent available data, states that do not require a concealed carry license include (but verify current status before traveling):
Important: Many additional states have adopted permitless carry in recent years. Always verify the current law of any state you plan to visit, as some states limit permitless carry to residents only.
Without obtaining a non-resident permit from another state, Vermont residents generally cannot legally carry concealed in states that:
This includes states such as California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington (based on Pennsylvania AG reciprocity data, which provides a useful reference point).
While Vermont has no permit statute, the following laws affect firearms carry and possession in Vermont:
| Statute | Subject | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| 13 V.S.A. § 4019 | Background checks required for private firearms transfers (with exceptions for immediate family) | April 11, 2018 |
| 13 V.S.A. § 4020 | Prohibition on sale of firearms to persons under 21 (with exceptions for law enforcement, military, and hunter safety completions) | April 11, 2018 |
| 13 V.S.A. § 4021 | Prohibition on large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (>10 rounds for long guns, >15 rounds for handguns) | April 11, 2018 |
| 13 V.S.A. § 4022 | Prohibition on bump-fire stocks | October 1, 2018 |
These restrictions were enacted under Act 94 of 2018 and apply to all persons carrying in Vermont, including non-residents.
This page covers one part of our Vermont concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Vermont guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.