Vermont Concealed Weapon Charges: VT Sentencing and Penalties

Vermont is one of only a few states in the nation that allow a concealed weapon to be carried without a permit. The others include Alaska and Arizona. Wyoming will join them as of July 1, 2011. Vermont residents and nonresidents visiting the state can purchase a gun because a permit is not required and only a state background check is conducted. In addition, handguns, shotguns and rifles do not have to be registered.

Concealed Weapon Laws in Vermont

Although Vermont has the least restrictive laws in the nation about carrying a concealed weapon, handguns are prohibited in the following areas:

All courthouses (unless specific authorization from the court has been given)
Any state institution, inside or on the grounds (unless permission from the warden has been given)
Any private wildlife preserve (unless written consent from the owner has been given)
The Bomoseen State Game Refuge
All state buildings
Any school building or on school property
Any school bus

Vermont also prohibits possessing or carrying a loaded shotgun or rifle while in a motor vehicle on a public highway.

Penalties for Weapon Violations

Vermont does not group misdemeanor and felony offenses into classes. Instead an offense is sentenced by the seriousness of the crime.

Type of Crime	Description of the Offense	Jail Time & Amount of Fine
Infraction	Any person or corporation (other than a parent or guardian) who furnishes or sells a firearm, ammunition or dangerous weapon to a minor under the age of 16 (does not apply to firearms instructors engaged in a training exercise with students)	Fine from $10 to $50
Infraction	Any person who possesses, manufacturers, uses, sells or intends to sell a firearms silencer	Fine of $25 for each offense
Infraction	Any person who aims or points a firearm towards another person (except in self-defense)	Fine up to $50
Infraction	Any person who intentionally discharges any firearm at another person (except in self-defense) Pawnbrokers and retail merchants who fail to keep a record of the sale of all revolvers and pistols Any physician or medical professional who fails to report treating a gunshot wound	Fine up to $100
Misdemeanor	Any person who possesses, sells or offers to sell a zip gun, switchblade knife or any knife that has a blade 3 inches or longer	Up to 90 days in county jail Fine up to $100
Misdemeanor	Any person who carries or possesses a firearm or deadly/dangerous weapon into a courthouse or any secured building that has metal screening devices at the public entrance	Up to 1 year in county jail Fine up to $500
Misdemeanor	Any person who carries or possesses a firearm on school property or on a school bus Any person who possesses a handgun on school property with the intent to do harm	Up to 1 year in county jail Fine up to $1,000
Misdemeanor wobbler	Any vagrant who carries a firearm	From 6 months to 2 years in prison
Felony	Any person who carries a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure another person	Up to 2 years in prison Fine up to $200
Felony	Any person who possesses a handgun on school property with the intent to do harm (second offense)	Up to 3 years in prison Fine up to $5,000
Felony	Any person who possesses a gun during the commission of a crime Any person who gives away, manufactures or sells any blackjack, brass knuckles, sling shot or similar weapons	Up to 5 years in prison Fine up to $500
Felony	Any person who negligently wounds another person by a gun shot Any person who possess a blackjack, brass knuckles or sling shot or uses it against another or attempts to use it against another	Up to 5 years in prison Fine up to $1,000

Vermont's Plea Options

Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you must enter a plea at your arraignment. This is the first court appearance where the judge reads the charges against you. You can enter one of the following pleas:

Not Guilty—All criminal defendants have the right to plead not guilty, and the case will move forward with a date set for the trial to begin.
Guilty—You waive your right to a trial, and you will be sentenced by the judge immediately or at a later date.
No Contest—You don't deny the charges but aren't required to admit guilt for the crime committed.

Contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney

Vermont has very unrestrictive gun control laws, but accidents can happen. You may carry a loaded firearm openly or concealed, but if you wound another accidentally, you could face up to 5 years in state prison. If you've been charged with a criminal offense, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. If fighting the charge is not an option, the attorney may be able to work out a plea bargain in exchange for your guilty plea to a lesser offense.

Vermont Concealed Weapon Charges

Concealed Weapon Laws in Vermont

Penalties for Weapon Violations

Vermont's Plea Options

Contacting a Criminal Defense Attorney

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