Vermont

[ab8mi]

Later this month I have an interview in northern VT for a job. Already talked with this company a few times and now they want a Face to Face. Any of you ever lived in VT??? I have driven through a few times over the years and it is beautiful country. Are the gun laws as they say...no permit etc. Guess this is an advantage and a disadvantage as you have no reciprocity with other states.

Pros and Cons anyone???

[Hwkeye]

Courtesey of Packing.org

Vermont is unique in that permits are not required for carry concealed or unconcealed for resident and non-resident alike. Local ordinances vary, though. VT has no statutes concerning concealed carry, nor is there a specific statute that allows it. In the absence of a statute that prohibits it, then it is taken that there is no law against it.
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 for a student to carry or possess a firearm "upon a school". 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.
Vermont State Constitution Chapter 1, Article 16

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 subordinationto and governed by the civil power.

How do I apply for a Permit/License?

Date updated: Jul 31, 2005 @ 5:03 pm
Since there is no permit required, there is no application process.


Documents required



Issuing authority


Vermont does not issue carry permits. The Attorney General has a web page that lists all the Vermont laws governing the use and possession of firearms.

Permit/License term

Date updated: Jul 31, 2005 @ 5:04 pm
N/A


Approximate cost

Places off-limits while carrying


Date updated: Aug 23, 2005 @ 7:09 pm
Title 13: Chpt. 85: § 4003.

• School Buildings. (The law says School Buildings and does not mention Primary, Secondary or College So all school buildings, both public and private, are off limits.)
• 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. (This Section Probably covers Colleges as well, but would certainly apply to state hospitals and correctional facilities)
• Court Houses.
• 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.

State Park Rules and Regulations as published by the VT. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
Fires and Firearms

2. No firecrackers or other explosive devices, firearms, air rifles or pistols, gas weapons, slingshots, crossbows, bow and arrows except by special permit, shall be displayed or discharged in any developed recreation area May 1 through October 15. No firearm shall be discharged within 500 feet of any building or structure in any park or recreation area.

Admin note
This says firearms can not be displayed. It does not mention concealed firearms. The rules can be read may different ways by many different people. This rule would mean open carry is illegal during this time period. Contact the VT. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. for more information.


Car/Gun law summary

TITLE 10 Chpt.133: Section 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, 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.

Note: Because handguns are not mentioned in the statute, it is not illegal to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle.


Must inform Law Enforcement when Carrying


There is no statute that requires that a person, in or out of a vehicle, notify an officer that there is a weapon on their person or in the vehicle. I would certainly recommend that one would do so in the event that the officer asks or searches the person or vehicle for whatever reason: failure to do so very well could escalate the tension of the situation.



Carrying without a Permit/License

Date updated: Jul 31, 2005 @ 5:06 pm
No permit is needed by Residents or Non Residents to carry a concealed firearm in Vermont



Peaceable journey law


A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man, or ......
So anyone who can legally own a handgun can carry it loaded and concealed in Vermont except in places listed in the Off Limit Heading as long as they are not intent on injuring a fellow Man.


Deadly force law summary

Knife carry law summary


13 V.S.A. § 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.

13 V.S.A. § 4013. Zip guns; switchblade knives

A person who possesses, sells or offers for sale a weapon commonly known as a "zip" gun, or a weapon commonly known as a switchblade knife, the blade of which is three inches or more in length, shall be imprisoned not more than ninety days or fined not more than $100.00, or both. (1959, No. 151, eff. May 5, 1959; amended 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 23.)

Admin note

State/local preemption law



Date updated: Aug 23, 2005 @ 7:11 pm
24 V.S.A. § 2295. 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( of this title. The provisions of this section shall supersede any inconsistent provisions of a municipal charter.
(Added 1987, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), eff. May 9, 1988.)

[amishclark]

well, i lived in vermont for 5 years, but this was before my gun totin' days...where in northern vt? i lived in burlington, but spent a lot of time in the NE kingdom...maybe i can answer lifestyle questions for you. vermont is great...it just gets a little cold. i used to be able to ride my dirtbike out of my back yard and go for hours

[ExSniper]

I lived in Central Vermont for two years while teaching at Norwich University. The law is just as it reads: if you can legally own a gun, you can legally carry. I carried CCW the whole time I lived there, though it is probably as safe as any place on earth! Very low violent crime rate.

State has a large percentage of both extremes, ultra-liberal socialists on one end, good old boy rednecks on the other, not a lot of moderates in between these two. There are lots of really friendly people in Vermont. Enjoy, it is a beautiful area.

[ab8mi]

The company that I am interviewing with will be placing me in Johnson, VT or Lamoile County.

[amishclark]

ahh...there isn't much out there. i hope you have a wife/gf going with you

amazing part of the state though, if you like hunting, fishing, offroading, shooting, or anything else you can't do around people. did you know that vermont is the most "rural" state in the country. that area is like the gateway to the northeast kingdom...the most rural of rural. is it a lumber company?

[ab8mi]

No if it works out it will be for the VT Electric Power Coop. And yes I am married and best part my wife likes to shoot. We also have 4 boys (22 to 18 months)...well 3 at home