State · VT
Vermont gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Vermont's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permitless carry · magazine limit (10 rounds for long guns / 15 rounds for handguns)
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
- Long guns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
Registration#
- No state firearm registration.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- Yes. Vermont has never required a permit to carry.
- Concealed carry permit
- No permits are issued.
- Open carry
- Legal.
- Reciprocity
- Eligible visitors don't need a permit. Vermont issues no permits, so residents who travel need nonresident permits from other states.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- None at the state level.
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds for long guns / 15 rounds for handguns (2018; magazines owned before the ban may be kept).
Waiting period#
- 72 hours for all firearms sold through a dealer or with a background check: the transfer can't happen until 72 hours after the dealer gets a NICS transaction number, or 7 business days after the check began if that comes first (13 V.S.A. § 4019a, since 2023). A federal appeal challenging this rule (Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs v. Birmingham, 2d Cir. No. 24-2026) was argued April 28, 2026; no decision appeared on the public docket as of its last update (July 24, 2026), and the law remains in force.
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal (2018).
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes (2018).
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Legal under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Where Vermont allows these items only if federal requirements are met, it isn't settled how state law treats an item that is no longer federally registered. Check with state authorities before relying on ATF's change.
Ammunition#
- No state background check, license or permit for buying ammunition was identified.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21, with exceptions (a hunter safety course, or military and law enforcement service).
Shipping and buying online#
- Magazines over 10 rounds (long guns) or 15 rounds (handguns) can't be sold to VT buyers.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Vermont. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Nothing on our watch list here right now. That usually means no major bill or court case is close to changing Vermont's gun laws at the moment. We'll add items here as soon as our weekly scan finds them.
Sources and official links#
- Vermont Statutes Title 13, Ch. 85 · Officialhttps://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/13/085
- 13 V.S.A. § 4019a (waiting period) · Officialhttps://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/085/04019a
- 2d Cir. docket 24-2026 (CourtListener copy of PACER) · Officialhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68999384/vermont-federation-of-sportsmens-clubs-v-birmingham/
Vermont entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.