Vermont Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Vermont Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Vermont gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Vermont can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Vermont State Constitution

That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State – and as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power.

Vermont Constitutional Provision Chapter I, Article 16: Right to bear arms; standing armies; military power subordinate to civil.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community, and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single person, family, or set of persons, who are a part only of that community; and that the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right, to reform or alter government, in such manner as shall be, by that community, judged most conducive to the public weal.

Vermont Constitutional Provision Chapter I, Article 7: Government for the people; they may change it.

That the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good to instruct their Representatives and to apply to the Legislature for redress of grievances, by address, petition or remonstrance.

Vermont Constitutional Provision Chapter I, Article 20: Right to assemble, instruct and petition.

Vermont Gun Laws

Vermont Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Vermont Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Vermont Gun Laws (Source: Office of the Vermont Attorney General)
New Vermont Gun Laws FAQs (Source: Vermont Department of Public Safety)

Vermont Hunting Rules & Regulations

Vermont Hunting (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
Vermont Hunting Regulations (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
Vermont Licenses & Lotteries (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
Vermont Online License Center (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
Vermont Hunter Education (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)

Vermont Shooting Ranges

Vermont FWD Shooting Ranges (Source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Vermont Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Vermont NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Vermont NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Vermont "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Vermont State Firearm & Hunting Associations

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. (NRA-Affiliated)
Gun Owners of Vermont (GOA-Affiliated)
Vermont Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Vermont Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Vermont NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Vermont Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Vermont Gun Shows and FFLs

Vermont Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Vermont FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Vermont's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Vermont Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Vermont Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Vermont Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Vermont State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Vermont State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Vermont Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Vermont Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Vermont State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Vermont State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Vermont (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo