In recent years Vermont significantly strengthened its gun laws, but still has much more to do to better protect its residents from gun violence.
In recent years, Vermont made enormous progress by enacting universal background checks, passing an extreme risk protection law, raising the minimum age to purchase firearms, and limiting access to large-capacity magazines. In 2022, Vermont had the thirteenth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 78 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every 112 hours. Eighty-seven percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 11% are gun homicides. In Vermont, the rate of gun deaths increased 30% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nationwide.
What Vermont Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Minimum age laws
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Child access prevention laws
- Waiting periods
- Ghost gun ban
What Vermont Is Missing
- Gun owner licensing
- Most domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE VERMONT’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
