Vermont has a strong state preemption law that prevents municipalities from enacting their own firearms regulations. This framework is reinforced by...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Vermont has a strong state preemption law that prevents municipalities from enacting their own firearms regulations. This framework is reinforced by Vermont's strict adherence to Dillon's Rule, which limits local government authority to only those powers expressly granted by the state legislature.
Vermont's primary firearms preemption statute is 24 V.S.A. § 2295, commonly known as The Sportsman's Bill of Rights. This law prohibits municipal governments from enacting ordinances that regulate the possession, ownership, transfer, carrying, or transportation of firearms. Under this statute, firearms regulation is reserved exclusively to the state legislature.
A related statute, 24 V.S.A. § 2291(8), further defines the limited scope of municipal regulatory authority, which does not extend to firearms regulation beyond what the state has expressly authorized.
Vermont is one of only ten strict Dillon's Rule states, meaning local governments possess no inherent regulatory authority. Municipalities may exercise only those powers:
This legal framework means that even narrowly targeted local firearms regulations require explicit legislative authorization. Towns that have attempted to pass local ordinances restricting firearms - including attempts to amend or work around the Sportsman's Bill of Rights - have not been successful.
Vermont's preemption framework is further supported by Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution, which provides:
"That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State..."
Notably, Vermont's constitutional right to bear arms contains no qualifiers about the manner of carry, scope of the right, or authority for local restriction. It is a broad, affirmative grant of individual liberty that applies uniformly across the state.
Despite the general preemption law, certain state-level restrictions on firearms in specific locations have been enacted:
The Vermont Secretary of State's office issued a report recommending a statewide ban on possessing or carrying firearms on state or municipal property. The recommendation would:
Deputy Secretary of State Lauren Hibbert wrote: "To preserve participatory democracy and good governance, we need to consciously decide where weapons will and won't be allowed."
The Commissioner of Buildings and General Services noted existing Statehouse rules were working well but suggested clarifying rules around the surrounding grounds.
S.131 passed the Vermont Senate and would approve a Burlington charter change banning firearms in any establishment licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption. The bill:
This legislation is considered significant because it could set a precedent for local override of state preemption. Critics argue that if the Legislature allows charter amendments to override preemption laws, it could lead to:
Under current law, Vermont's preemption statute means that concealed carry permit holders (and those carrying without a permit under Vermont's constitutional/permitless carry system) can carry firearms in most public spaces throughout the state without concern for varying municipal regulations. The law ensures uniform statewide rules - a person carrying legally in one town is carrying legally in every town, with the narrow exceptions noted above for schools, courthouses, polling places, and the Statehouse.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| 24 V.S.A. § 2295 | Sportsman's Bill of Rights - municipal preemption |
| 24 V.S.A. § 2291(8) | Municipal regulatory authority limitations |
| Vt. Const. Ch. I, Art. 16 | Right to bear arms |
| Act 120 (2024) | Firearms prohibited at polling locations |
This page covers one part of our Vermont concealed carry guide.
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