A Vermont Firearm Bill of Sale is a document that serves as an official, legal record of the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer.
It contains the details about the firearm transferred as well as the seller’s and buyer’s name and signature.
Vermont has a maximum 7-day waiting period for background checks to process before a firearm sale can proceed.
Firearm laws: 13 V.S.A. § 4020, 13 V.S.A. § 4008, 13 V.S.A. § 4019
Restrictions: Yes
State permit to purchase: No
Registration of firearm: No
License to own: No
Assault weapon law: No
Magazine capacity restriction: Yes
Permit for concealed carry: No
Permit for open carry: No
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
To transfer ownership of firearms in Vermont, you must either be a licensed firearms dealer or go through one.
Requirements
Vermont does not allow unlicensed persons to transfer, sell or gift firearms to another unlicensed person (13 V.S.A. § 4019).
You need a licensed firearms dealer to facilitate the sale if you are a private party.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, including transferring firearms to a police officer or an immediate family member.
Restrictions
Selling a firearm to anyone under 21 is prohibited in Vermont per 13 V.S.A. § 4020.
In addition, anyone convicted of a violent crime is prohibited from owning a firearm.
Vermont also has Extreme Risk Protection Orders law, which allows certain prosecutors to petition the court to prohibit a person who poses a danger to themselves or others from accessing firearms.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Firearms cannot be transferred, through sale, gift, trade, or estate, between unlicensed individuals.
However, it is permissible to gift or sell a firearm to an immediate family member which includes a spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, stepsibling, grandparent, step-grandparent, grandchild, step-grandchild, great-grandparent, step-great-grandparent, great-grandchild, and step-great-grandchild (13 V.S.A. § 4019(a)(2)).
Thus, firearms can be passed down to immediate family members in one’s estate.
Registration
Vermont has no law that requires firearm registration.
If you register a newly purchased firearm, the bill of sale can prove the transfer of ownership.
A record is not sent to the police.
However, those purchasing a firearm must submit to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check before purchasing a firearm.
The FBI regulates the NICS.
Concealed Carry Permit
Vermont does not issue concealed carry permits.
Both open and concealed carry is allowed in Vermont without a permit. Anyone over 16 can possess a firearm in Vermont (13 V.S.A. § 4008) but keep in mind that federal law sets the minimum age at 18.
Gun Reciprocity
Vermont does not issue carry permits.
However, the following states have reciprocity with Vermont and will allow Vermont residents to carry in their state:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
In addition, these states have reciprocity with Vermont under the restriction that firearm owners be 21 years of age or older:
- Arizona
- Alaska
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Vermont Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of what a Vermont firearm bill of sale looks like.
