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 2019, Vermont had the 10th-lowest gun death rate in the country and supplied crime guns to other states at the 23rd-highest rate. To build on the state’s recent progress, Vermont legislators should strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and violent hate crimes, require a waiting period before all gun purchases, and strengthen curbs on gun trafficking.
What Vermont Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Minimum age laws
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Large capacity magazine ban
What Vermont Is Missing
- Gun owner licensing
- Most domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Waiting periods
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- 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.
