Vermont 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80% lower receivers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Vermont?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF however they are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in Vermont.

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Vermont?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Vermont you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver you certainly can if necessary through our engraving services for 80 lowers.

Key Gun Laws in Vermont

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Vermont.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

To purchase a long gun in Vermont buyers must be at least 18 years old. To purchase a handgun in Vermont buyers must be at least 21 years old. No extra permits are needed to purchase handguns or long guns in Vermont nor is extra registration necessary. Vermont’s minimum age for possession of handguns is 16 years old and there is no minimum age restriction for possession of long guns. In the event a minor is in possession of a handgun the normal exemption applies when minors have prior written consent from their parents or guardian or if they are in direct supervision or presence of their parents, guardian or when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, travelling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.

There are additional exceptions when transferring possession of a firearm to a minor in Vermont — it is lawful if the transfer is a gift from a family member and if the person receiving the firearm is a law enforcement officer or a member of the Armed Forces or National Guard. Minors can also be exempt if they’ve completed a hunting safety course approved by the state Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife.

All firearm purchases and transfers require a background check not including some private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Vermont is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI directly. For more details on background check exemptions on gun transfers in Vermont see the list provided by Giffords.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Vermont is a rare “does not issue” and constitutional carry state for both open and concealed carrying. Any person 16 years of age or older can legally open or concealed carry without a permit in Vermont. For more details on their concealed carrying policies see Vermont’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

When it comes to NFA weapons and related items, Vermont actually has few restrictions. Essentially all weapons and related items are legal for residents to purchase and possess via a NFA gun trust, with the exception of silencers or suppressors. Only law enforcement officers and active duty members of the military or National Guard may use or possess a silencer.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

The state of Vermont does have magazine capacity restrictions which limits long gun magazines to only 10 rounds per mag and it also limits handgun mags to 15 rounds per mag maximum which has been effective since 2019. Please also note that Vermont exempts tubular magazines and magazines for lever action, bolt action or curio/relic guns that hold .22 caliber rimfire ammunition to be able to hold as many rounds without limit.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

According to the Giffords Law Center to “Prevent Gun Violence” Vermont does not have any laws requiring locking devices to be sold at the same time when a firearm transaction is being held. The state of Vermont also does not require firearm owners to use any locking devices at home or when traveling with firearms via car. However, you should still exercise caution because you can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are 5 firearm storage options.

Self-Defense

Vermont is not explicitly a castle doctrine state and doesn’t have a stand your ground law in place but the courts have consistently ruled that there is no duty to retreat before using force in public.

Ammunition Purchase

Essentially, all ammunition is unrestricted in Vermont with the exception of minors being in possession of ammo. Minors must be at least 16 years old to legally possess ammo. Online ammo purchases require buyers to be at least 21 years old but can be shipped straight to your front door.

Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!

Vermont residents are free (for now) to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. At this time there have not been any bans on 80 percents so take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep, bear and build your own arms while you can! Grab an 80 lower jig while you can and get some buddies to enjoy that freedom together. Let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.