Non-Resident permit · ME → VT
Is a Maine Non-Resident Permit Valid in Vermont?
Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08
Yes. Vermont recognizes the Maine non-resident permit — and because Vermont has permitless carry, a permit isn't strictly required for eligible carriers anyway.
Why
- Vermont recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- Vermont allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
No permit is required or checked — out-of-state permits (resident or non-resident) are irrelevant. Anyone who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed in Vermont.
The permit (Maine)
- Permit
- Maine Permit to Carry Concealed Handguns
- Issued by
- Maine State Police (issuing authority for most municipalities and for all non-residents); some municipal police chiefs issue locally
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — Non-resident permits are issued by the Chief of the State Police (25 M.R.S. 2003; $80 application fee, 60-day decision window).
The destination (Vermont)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- 15 rounds
Carry rules in Vermont
Your Maine habits may not match Vermont's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.
- No duty-to-inform statute exists; Vermont has no carry-permit system and no statutory requirement to disclose carrying to police.
- Vermont limits magazine capacity to 15 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
- Vermont allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- No permit needed — a loaded handgun may be carried openly or concealed in a vehicle by anyone who may lawfully possess it.
Off-limits places in Vermont
- School buildings, school buses and school property (13 V.S.A. § 4004)
- Courthouses (13 V.S.A. § 4016)
- Hospital buildings (13 V.S.A. § 4023)
- Federal property where firearms are prohibited by federal law
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Maine non-resident permit valid in Vermont?
- Yes. Vermont recognizes the Maine non-resident permit — and because Vermont has permitless carry, a permit isn't strictly required for eligible carriers anyway.
- Do I have to tell police in Vermont that I am carrying?
- No duty-to-inform statute exists; Vermont has no carry-permit system and no statutory requirement to disclose carrying to police.
- Does Vermont limit magazine capacity?
- Vermont limits magazine capacity to 15 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
- Can I carry in Vermont without any permit?
- Vermont allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Official sources
- Vermont Statutes Online — 13 V.S.A. § 4021 (large capacity ammunition feeding devices) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Vermont Statutes Online — 13 V.S.A. § 4004 (weapons in schools) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Vermont Statutes Online — 13 V.S.A. § 4016 (weapons in court) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Vermont Statutes Online — Title 13 chapter 85 (weapons; no licensing provision exists) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Maine State Police - Concealed Handgun Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Maine State Police - Concealed Carry in Maine — accessed 2026-08-08
- 25 M.R.S. 2003 - Permits to carry concealed handguns — accessed 2026-08-08