Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Vermont
Whether Vermont has a red flag (extreme risk) law and any limits on assault weapons or magazine capacity.
Short answer: Yes. A State's Attorney, the Office of the Attorney General, or a family or household member may petition the Family Division of the Superior Court for an extreme risk protection order barring a person from purchasing, possessing or receiving a dangerous weapon (firearm or explosive). 13 V.S.A. §§ 4051, 4053, 4054, 4055
| Red flag law | Yes. A State's Attorney, the Office of the Attorney General, or a family or household member may petition the Family Division of the Superior Court for an extreme risk protection order barring a person from purchasing, possessing or receiving a dangerous weapon (firearm or explosive). After notice and a hearing, with the petitioner proving the case by clear and convincing evidence, an order lasts up to six months; the respondent may move to terminate it (once per order period), and a State's Attorney or the Attorney General may move to renew it. A temporary ex parte order may be issued for imminent risk, with a hearing within 14 days; when a family or household member files, the State's Attorney is substituted as plaintiff. Full chapter: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/13/085 |
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| Assault weapons and magazine limits | No assault weapons ban. Large-capacity magazines are banned: a person may not manufacture, possess, transfer, offer for sale, purchase, receive or import a magazine or similar device that holds (or can readily be converted to hold) more than 10 rounds for a long gun or more than 15 rounds for a handgun (up to one year or $500). Devices lawfully possessed on or before the law's effective date (April 11, 2018) are grandfathered for possession, and .22 rimfire tubular magazines and magazines solely for lever-action or bolt-action long guns are excluded. Bump-fire stocks are also banned. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 4021; 4022 |
More Vermont gun laws
FAQ
Does Vermont have a red flag law?
Yes. A State's Attorney, the Office of the Attorney General, or a family or household member may petition the Family Division of the Superior Court for an extreme risk protection order barring a person from purchasing, possessing or receiving a dangerous weapon (firearm or explosive). After notice and a hearing, with the petitioner proving the case by clear and convincing evidence, an order lasts up to six months; the respondent may move to terminate it (once per order period), and a State's Attorney or the Attorney General may move to renew it. A temporary ex parte order may be issued for imminent risk, with a hearing within 14 days; when a family or household member files, the State's Attorney is substituted as plaintiff.
Does Vermont ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?
No assault weapons ban. Large-capacity magazines are banned: a person may not manufacture, possess, transfer, offer for sale, purchase, receive or import a magazine or similar device that holds (or can readily be converted to hold) more than 10 rounds for a long gun or more than 15 rounds for a handgun (up to one year or $500). Devices lawfully possessed on or before the law's effective date (April 11, 2018) are grandfathered for possession, and .22 rimfire tubular magazines and magazines solely for lever-action or bolt-action long guns are excluded. Bump-fire stocks are also banned.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.