No registration is needed; residents and non-residents are entitled to carry openly or in a concealed manner. There are certain locations guns are disallowed, but no permits are ever needed, nor is registration. The only reason that anyone needs a permit is to ensure the ability to use and carry your firearm in a state where a permit is needed for reciprocal firearms carry laws to apply to them.
Requirements to hold a firearm license
None, just be at least 16 years of age
none required for any type of gun or handgun, all people allowed to have a gun can carry it concealed or open. And anyone from any state not just a Vermont resident is allowed to possess and carry a firearm in the state.
More information on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL), as well as what each license type can do, can be found on our FFL home page.
We also have a very helpful
FFL search tool if you want to search by postal code, state, business name, or even license number.
Does Vermont Require a Background Check to purchase a Firearm?
Yes, Vermont has a state law that requires a background check prior to the sale of a firearm.
The background check is very important. While you might not need to have a permit to own or to carry, you must be able to pass a background check to own the gun if you are asked to legally. Most firearms dealers will run a background check before you are allowed to buy a firearm. This is also because there are repercussions for selling a firearm to the wrong person, which the background check will prevent.
Owning a firearm in Vermont
Does Vermont have a Gun Free Zone law?
Yes, Vermont has a defined list of gun free zones:
school buildings, campuses, and athletic events
in government buildings or at meetings that are in session to complete official government proceedings and business.
In any courthouse
In or on a school bus operating in an official capacity
Does Vermont Require a Safety Course to own a Firearm?
You are not required to take a safety course in order to own a firearm in Vermont.
The course is not required, but it is highly recommended. As a state with no permitting available to anyone, the powers that be highly recommend that every gun owner take as many gun safety classes as possible and make sure that follow the rules
Common Firearm Offenses in Vermont
4001-use of possession of a weapon
4002 * sale of firearms
4003 * carrying a dangerous weapon
4004 * possession of a firearm on a school bus, in a school building, or school property
4005 * use of a firearm during the commission of a crime
4006 * a record of firearms sales
4007 * furnishing a firearm in front of children
4008 * possession of a firearm by a child
4009 * negligent use of a firearm
4010 * possession or use of a gun suppressor
4011 * aiming a gun at another person
4012 * reporting treatment of firearms wounds
4013 * use or possession of a zip gun
4014 * purchase of firearms in another state
4015 * purchase of firearms by nonresidents
4016 * possession of a firearm in a courthouse
4017 * Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
4019 * firearms transfers to a prohibited person
4020 * firearms sales to a person under 21 years of age
4021 * large capacity ammunition feeding devices
4022 * possession of bump-fire stocks
4023 * possession of a firearm in a hospital building