Vermont Gun Laws/Restrictions

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VERMONT GUN LAWS - OVERVIEW

Code Sections

Tit. 13 §§ 4001, et seq.

Types of Illegal Firearms

Possession, sale, transfer, or manufacture of the below firearms is illegal:

  • Silencers
  • Zip guns
  • Weapons of mass destruction

Waiting Period Before Purchase

  • None

Who May Not Own Guns

Vermont prohibits several different categories of individuals from owning or possessing pistols:

  • Children under sixteen years of age without parental permission.

Laws Prohibiting Firearms On or Near School Grounds

  • Yes
PURCHASE

No permit is required to purchase a rifle, shotgun, or handgun.

Dealers are required to keep a record of all handgun sales, and used handgun purchases. This record must include the date of the transaction, the marks of identification of the handgun, including manufacturer’s name, caliber, model and serial number, the purchaser’s or seller’s name, address, birthplace, occupation, age, height, weight, and color of eyes and hair. The purchaser or seller shall sign his name to the record and the dealer must keep such records in a book for six years after the date of the last entry and shall permit law enforcement officers to inspect the book at all reasonable times.

It is unlawful to sell or offer to sell a zip gun.

Firearms Restrictions
  • Zip guns
  • Weapons of mass destruction
Stun Guns/Tasers Restrictions

State Statute or Definition: (4003/4016 Dangerous weapon definition, but legal.)

  • No restrictions
Accessories/Ammunition Restrictions
  • Device made or adapted to muffle the report of firearm (i.e. silencers).
POSSESSION

No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun.

It is unlawful for a child under 16, without consent of his parent or guardian, to possess or control a handgun.

It is unlawful to possess a zip gun. It is generally agreed that a zip gun is a crude homemade firearm.

CARRYING

It is lawful to carry a firearm openly or concealed provided the firearm is not carried with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man. It is unlawful to carry a firearm within any state institution or upon the grounds or lands owned or leased by such institution.

It is unlawful to carry or possess a firearm in a school bus or school building or on school property. The board of school directors may authorize the use of firearms for instructional purposes when facilities for such instruction are available.

It is unlawful to carry or possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle within the right of way of a public highway. Exempt are law enforcement officers and hunters who are paraplegic or have a severe physical disability and have been issued a permit by the fish and game commissioner.

It is unlawful, without authorization from the court, to carry or possess a firearm while within a courthouse.

It is unlawful to possess a deadly weapon on the grounds of a state institution, without the permission of the Warden or superintendent of that institution.

MACHINE GUNS

It is lawful to possess, purchase, or sell a machine gun that is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations.

ANTIQUES, CURIOSITIES AND REPLICAS (C&R)

Vermont laws are silent on the subject of antiques and replicas. However, an opinion of the Attorney General holds that handguns defined as antiques or replicas under the 1968 Gun Control Act need not be entered in the sales records as long as they do not fire conventional ammunition.

MISCELLANEOUS

The possession, ownership, transfer, carrying, or registration or licensing of firearms or ammunition has been pre-emptied by state law.

It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a wild animal from a motorized vehicle or within then feet of the traveled portion of a public highway.

PREEMPTION

VT. STAT. ANN. tit. 24 § 2295 (2011) - Authority of municipal and county governments to regulate firearms, ammunition, hunting, fishing and trapping

Except as otherwise provided by law, no town, city or incorporated village, by ordinance, resolution or other enactment, shall directly regulate hunting, fishing and trapping or the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing or registration of traps, firearms, ammunition or components of firearms or ammunition. This section shall not limit the powers conferred upon a town, city or incorporated village under section 2291(8) of this title. The provisions of this section shall supersede any inconsistent provisions of a municipal charter.

STATUTE REFERENCES

VT Stat. Ann. Title 13 §§ 4001, et seq.

 
Last edited: 6/20/2016