Vermont carry status overview
Vermont is a permitless carry state. Vermont has never required a permit to carry — the original "constitutional carry" state allows any person 18 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is broadly permitted. A permit remains available for residents who travel to other states that require reciprocity.
| Permitless carry | Yes — since 1791 |
| Governing law | Vt. Const. ch. I, art. 16 · State v. Rosenthal (1903)There is no permitless-carry statute. 13 V.S.A. ch. 85 sets the restrictions: § 4003 (intent to injure), § 4004 (schools), § 4016 (courthouses), § 4021 (magazines) |
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Open carry | Yes — broadly permitted |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without permit |
| Permit available | Yes — No state permit is issued |
Vermont has no permitless-carry statute, because it never banned carry in the first place
Every other permitless state points to a bill that created an exception. Vermont cannot, because there is nothing to except carry from. The basis is Chapter I, Article 16 of the 1777 Vermont Constitution, as construed by the Vermont Supreme Court in State v. Rosenthal, 75 Vt. 295 (1903).
13 V.S.A. § 4003 is cited as Vermont’s carry statute almost everywhere, and it is not one. Read it: it criminalises carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure another. It authorises nothing. This page made the same error until September 2026, and so do several large reference sites — they went looking for a statute to cite and picked the nearest one.
Vermont is also not unregulated. Magazines over 10 rounds for long guns and 15 for handguns are banned under § 4021 (pre-2018 grandfathered), carry is barred in schools (§ 4004) and courthouses (§ 4016), and a loaded long gun may not be carried in a vehicle. And because Vermont issues no permit, there is no Vermont credential for another state to honour — the one genuine cost of the Vermont model.
Permit for reciprocity
The No state permit is issued is available to Vermont residents who wish to carry legally in other states. Even though no permit is needed in Vermont, obtaining one greatly expands where you can legally carry when traveling. Apply at: https://www.vsp.vermont.gov/ ↗
Key prohibited locations
- K–12 school buildings and grounds
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Law enforcement and correctional facilities
- Secure areas of airports
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Always verify the complete prohibited locations list in Vermont's official statutes at the official statute source.
Frequently asked questions — Vermont
Does Vermont require a permit to carry concealed?
No. Since 1791, any person 18+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry concealed in Vermont without a permit. The No state permit is issued remains available for out-of-state reciprocity.
Is a permit worth getting in Vermont?
Yes, especially for travelers. A Vermont permit provides reciprocity in other states. Permits can be obtained through the state's issuing agency. Without a permit, your carry rights are limited to Vermont and other permitless carry states.
Does Vermont honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. Vermont recognizes valid carry licenses from other states. Additionally, as a permitless carry state, any eligible person 18+ may carry without any permit in Vermont.