Vermont Gun Laws

Constitutional carry. Magazine limits vary by firearm type. 72-hour waiting period. Castle doctrine; no stand-your-ground statute. Red flag law.

Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-09-25. Official state source.

Vermont allows constitutional carry with no permit required for any adult. The state has castle doctrine but no stand-your-ground statute; case law does not require retreat when deadly force is immediately necessary. Vermont has a red flag law, a 72-hour waiting period, and magazine limits that vary by firearm type.

Key facts

• Concealed Carry: Constitutional carry — no permit required
• Open Carry: Permitted without a permit
• Permit to Purchase: Not required
• Assault Weapon Ban: No ban
• Magazine Limit: 15 rounds for handguns; 10 rounds for long guns (13 V.S.A. § 4021)
• Waiting Period: 72 hours after background check (max 7 business days) (13 V.S.A. § 4019a)
• Universal Background Check: Required for all sales and transfers (13 V.S.A. § 4019)
• Red Flag Law (ERPO): Yes — Extreme Risk Protection Order (13 V.S.A. § 4053)
• Castle Doctrine: Yes (13 V.S.A. § 2305)
• Stand Your Ground: No statute; case law does not require retreat when deadly force is immediately necessary
• Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Doesn't issue its own permit; visitors 18+ can carry concealed here without one anyway

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to carry in Vermont?

No. Vermont is a constitutional carry state. No permit is required for concealed or open carry for non-prohibited persons (children under 16 need parental consent to possess a handgun).

What are the magazine limits in Vermont?

Vermont limits magazines to 15 rounds for handguns and 10 rounds for long guns. Magazines acquired before the law may be grandfathered.

Does Vermont require background checks for private sales?

Yes. Vermont requires universal background checks for all firearm sales and transfers, including private sales.

Does Vermont have a red flag law?

Yes. Vermont has an Extreme Risk Protection Order law allowing family or household members, State's Attorneys, and the Attorney General to petition for temporary firearm removal.

Does Vermont have stand your ground?

Vermont has no stand-your-ground statute, but under State v. Hatcher (1997) a person who reasonably believes deadly force is immediately necessary isn't required to retreat.

Does Vermont have a waiting period?

Yes. A firearm transfer can't be completed until 72 hours after the background check is approved, or 7 business days after it begins, whichever comes first.

Does Vermont honor concealed carry permits from other states?

There's nothing to honor in the traditional sense — Vermont has never issued its own carry permit, so there's no Vermont license for other states to reciprocate either. Because Vermont's permitless carry law applies to any adult 18 or older regardless of home state, a visiting permit holder's out-of-state permit is simply irrelevant here; you're carrying under Vermont law, not your home state's.

Not legal advice. Laws change; verify with official sources.