Vermont Firearm Law
The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of Vermont as of 4/24/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to the State of Vermont legislation.
The State of Vermont does not issue any kind of concealed permit/license.
§ 4003. Carrying dangerous weapons
A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man, or who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon within any state institution or upon the grounds or lands owned or leased for the use of such institution, without the approval of the warden or superintendent of the institution, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $200.00, or both.
OFF LIMITS
§ 4004. Possession of dangerous or deadly weapon in a school bus or school building or on school property
(a) No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon while within a school building or on a school bus. A person who violates this section shall, for the first offense, be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(b) No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon on any school property with the intent to injure another person. A person who violates this section shall, for the first offense, be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(c) This section shall not apply to:
(1) A law enforcement officer while engaged in law enforcement duties.
(2) Possession and use of firearms or dangerous or deadly weapons if the board of school directors, or the superintendent or principal if delegated authority to do so by the board, authorizes possession or use for specific occasions or for instructional or other specific purposes.
(d) As used in this section:
(1) "School property" means any property owned by a school, including motor vehicles.
(2) "Owned by the school" means owned, leased, controlled or subcontracted by the school.
(3) "Dangerous or deadly weapon" has the meaning defined in section 4016 of this title.
(4) "Firearm" has the meaning defined in section 4016 of this title.
(5) "Law enforcement officer" has the meaning defined in section 4016 of this title.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not limit or restrict any prosecution for any other offense, including simple assault or aggravated assault.
§ 4016. Weapons in court
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Courthouse" means a building or any portion of a building designated by the supreme court of Vermont as a courthouse.
(2) "Dangerous or deadly weapon" means any firearm, or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
(3) "Firearm" means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, which will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive and includes any weapon commonly referred to as a pistol, revolver, rifle, gun, machine gun or shotgun.
(4) "Law enforcement officer" means a person certified by the Vermont criminal justice training council as having satisfactorily completed the approved training programs required to meet the minimum training standards applicable to that person pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2358.
(5) "Secured building" means a building with controlled points of public access, metal screening devices at each point of public access, and locked compartments, accessible only to security personnel, for storage of checked firearms.
(b) A person who, while within a courthouse and without authorization from the court,
(1) carries or has in his or her possession a firearm; or
(2) knowingly carries or has in his or her possession a dangerous or deadly weapon, other than a firearm, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $500.00, or both.
(c) Notice of the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each courthouse.
(d) No dangerous or deadly weapon shall be allowed in a courthouse that has been certified by the court administrator to be a secured building.
10 050 003. Rules Govering State Facilitites Under the Jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings and General services
5.0 Firearms, Explosives and Other Dangerous Weapons
Firearms, explosives, dangerous weapons or the components to fabricate such devices whether in open or concealed possession are prohibited in State Buildings. Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council (VCJTC) certified law enforcement officers, as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2358 and Capitol Police Officers who have successfully completed the firearms safety program provided by VCJTC are exempt from this provision, unless otherwise provided by law. Instructors and participants in educational or training classes conducted by the Agency of Natural Resources or the Department of Fish and Wildlife may be exempt from this provision upon the Commissioner's receipt and acknowledgment of written notification of such classes from the Agency of Natural Resources or the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Note: All federally restricted carry limitations apply as well.
RECIPROCITY
Any person that can legally own a firearm can carry open or concealed within the State of Vermont. All Vermont legislation pertaining to firearms does apply.
A Vermont resident over the age of 21 and legally allowed to own a firearm may carry in the states of Alaska, Arizona, and Oklahoma. You must have in your possession a valid ID issued from the State of Vermont.
TRANSPORTING FIREARMS
Any person that can legally own a firearm can carry a handgun open or concealed within their vehicle in the State of Vermont.
§ 4705. Shooting from motor vehicles or aircraft; permit
(b) A person shall not carry or possess while in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within the right of way of a public highway a rifle or shotgun containing a loaded cartridge or shell in the chamber, mechanism, or in a magazine, or clip within a rifle or shotgun, or a muzzle-loading rifle or shotgun that has been charged with powder and projectile and the ignition system of which has been enabled by having an affixed or attached percussion cap, primer, battery, or priming powder, except as permitted under subsections (d) and (e) of this section. A person who possesses a rifle or shotgun in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power, or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within a right of way of a public highway shall upon demand of an enforcement officer exhibit the firearm for examination to determine compliance with this section.
NON-RESIDENT PERMIT
The State of Vermont does not issue a non-resident concealed carry permit.
Any person that can legally own a firearm can carry open or concealed within the State of Vermont.