Despite its liberal leanings on most social issues, Vermont has always been a pro-gun state, letting citizens and visitors alike carry openly or concealed without a permit — and those state laws even apply to most tourist areas.
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
There are only a few places in the state where Vermont's citizens can't freely carry a firearm — for instance, school buildings, courthouses, and federal buildings — but citizens are allowed to bring firearms to most tourist destinations and state parks.
These lenient gun laws shouldn't be a surprise, because the state long has been a haven for firearm-lovers. Vermont is only one of a tiny handful of states that allow people to carry without a permit, and it's legal to sell firearms to a 16-year-old without parental consent.
Though the state is in the middle of a debate about whether to close a so-called loophole that would expand the federal background check system for a sale between private citizens at gun shows, there's been enough opposition that it won't be easy for the state legislature to pass such a measure.
VOTE NOW: Is Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin Doing a Good Job?
Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, an avid hunter, has come out against the proposed legislation.
Interestingly, the FBI ranks Vermont as the safest state in the nation, with 115 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people (the national rate is 368 violent crimes per 100,000 people), and the pro-gun factions believe the state will stay the safest as long as there are no new regulations on their firearms.
"I think it's a result of years and years of Vermonters respecting guns as a tool to manage wildlife and to put food on the table,"
Shumlin told the Associated Press in February 2015. "That's what motivates us to own a gun. It's not necessarily what motivates someone who lives in Manhattan to own a gun."
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.