Although Vermont has no carry permit and one of the lightest carry frameworks in the country, several categorical restrictions apply to who may possess...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Although Vermont has no carry permit and one of the lightest carry frameworks in the country, several categorical restrictions apply to who may possess or carry firearms, what kinds of firearms and accessories are lawful, and what conduct is criminalized.
A person who is legally allowed to possess a firearm may carry without a permit. Federal and Vermont law identify the categories of persons who are not legally allowed.
Federal prohibited persons - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and § 922(n)
Vermont state-law restrictions
Large-capacity ammunition feeding devices - 13 V.S.A. § 4021
Magazines, belts, drums, feed strips, or similar devices that accept:
are prohibited from manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, and importation. Devices lawfully possessed on or before April 11, 2018 are grandfathered and may be retained, but post-April 11, 2018 acquisitions are unlawful. Exceptions exist for law enforcement, the federal government and federal agencies, licensed manufacturers (for testing, repair, or out-of-state commerce), out-of-state residents using devices in registered shooting competitions in Vermont, certain antique firearms, and .22-caliber tubular magazines.
Bump-fire stocks - 13 V.S.A. § 4022
Possession, sale, and transfer of bump-fire stocks have been prohibited in Vermont since October 1, 2018. A bump-fire stock is defined as a butt stock designed to be attached to a semiautomatic firearm that increases the rate of fire to that approaching a fully automatic firearm by using recoil to facilitate repeated trigger activation.
National Firearms Act items
Federal NFA items (machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, destructive devices, "any other weapons") are governed by federal law (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, 27 C.F.R. Part 479). See the NFA Items section for Vermont's posture on NFA possession.
Carry with intent to injure - 13 V.S.A. § 4003
Carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent to injure another is a crime, regardless of permit status (none required in Vermont). Standard offense: up to two years and a $2,000 fine. Aggravated offense (intent to injure multiple persons): up to 10 years and a $25,000 fine.
Firearms on school property - 13 V.S.A. § 4004
Knowing possession of a firearm or dangerous or deadly weapon in a school building, on a school bus, or - with intent to injure - on school property. Penalties scale by offense and intent. Exceptions exist for law enforcement on duty and school-sanctioned uses.
Hunter harassment - 10 V.S.A. § 4708
Interfering with the lawful taking of fish or wildlife is prohibited.
Discharging firearms within highway right-of-way and other safety provisions
Title 10 and Title 13 contain various safety provisions regarding discharge of firearms near roadways, dwellings, and persons.
Most firearm transfers between unlicensed persons must be conducted through a licensed dealer who performs a background check. Exceptions include:
Penalty: Up to one year and a $500 fine.
Sale of a firearm to a person under 21 is prohibited, with exceptions for:
A 72-hour waiting period applies between background-check initiation by a licensed dealer and the transfer of the firearm. The waiting period is under federal court challenge (Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs v. Birmingham), with the district court ruling in favor of the state in 2024 and the case currently on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as of 2025-2026.
A safe-storage statute imposes duties on owners to secure firearms from access by prohibited persons and minors under specified circumstances.
A court may issue an ERPO temporarily prohibiting firearm possession and ordering surrender of firearms when clear and convincing evidence shows the respondent poses a significant risk of harm to self or others. Petitioners include state's attorneys, the Attorney General, and (since Act 45 of 2023) family or household members. See the Red Flag section.
| Violation | Statute | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Carry with intent to injure | 13 V.S.A. § 4003 | 2 years / $2,000 |
| Carry with intent to injure multiple | 13 V.S.A. § 4003 | 10 years / $25,000 |
| Firearm in school building or bus | 13 V.S.A. § 4004 | 1 year / $1,000 (first); 3 years / $5,000 (subsequent) |
| Firearm on school property w/ intent | 13 V.S.A. § 4004 | 3 years / $1,000 (first); 5 years / $5,000 (subsequent) |
| Unlicensed transfer w/o dealer | 13 V.S.A. § 4019 | 1 year / $500 |
| Sale to person under 21 | 13 V.S.A. § 4020 | 1 year / $500 |
| Large-capacity device | 13 V.S.A. § 4021 | 1 year / $500 |
| Bump-fire stock possession | 13 V.S.A. § 4022 | Misdemeanor |
All federal restrictions on firearm possession, transfer, and use - including 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), § 922(x) (handgun possession by minor), § 922(q) (Gun-Free School Zones Act), § 930 (federal facilities), and the National Firearms Act under 26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq. - apply in Vermont as in every state. Vermont's permitless carry framework does not displace federal law.
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.