Is a Vermont Resident Permit Valid in Pennsylvania?

Why

• Vermont does not issue carry permits at all (vermont issues no carry permits to anyone, resident or non-resident — there is no permit system at all. vermont residents who need a permit recognized elsewhere must obtain a non-resident permit from another state that issues them) — there is no Vermont permit to recognize.

AG rule: where Pennsylvania grants reciprocity, ONLY individuals who are both residents of the issuing state AND 21 or older may carry in Pennsylvania — non-resident permits are never recognized. Several states are recognized only for specific license classes (see overrides). Virginia became the 30th recognized state in Feb 2026. Not recognized: CA, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MN, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, SC, VT, WA.

Carry rules in Pennsylvania

Crossing into Pennsylvania swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No Pennsylvania statute requires a carrier to proactively inform police; carry the license and produce it on lawful demand.
• Pennsylvania sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Pennsylvania is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Pennsylvania recognizes.
• Carrying a firearm in any vehicle, loaded or unloaded, requires a valid LTCF or a recognized reciprocal license (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106).

Off-limits places in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Court facilities (18 Pa.C.S. § 913)
• Elementary and secondary school buildings, grounds and buses (18 Pa.C.S. § 912; statutory 'other lawful purpose' defense)

See all 3 places you can't carry in Pennsylvania →

Vermont vs Pennsylvania: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Vermont into Pennsylvania changes 3 rules: permitless carry (Yes → No); magazine limit (15 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 30 states).

Going the other way, a Pennsylvania resident permit in Vermont: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Pennsylvania

How a Vermont resident permit fares in the states bordering Pennsylvania:

• Delaware — No such permit issued
• Maryland — No such permit issued
• New Jersey — No such permit issued
• New York — No such permit issued
• Ohio — No such permit issued
• West Virginia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Pennsylvania honor a Vermont non-resident permit?

Vermont does not issue non-resident carry permits (vermont issues no carry permits to anyone, resident or non-resident — there is no permit system at all. Vermont residents who need a permit recognized elsewhere must obtain a non-resident permit from another state that issues them), so the question does not arise.

Can a Pennsylvania resident permit holder carry in Vermont?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Vermont's law, not Pennsylvania's.

Does Vermont issue carry permits at all?

No — to anyone. Vermont has no carry-permit system; carry there is permitless. Vermont residents who want reciprocity coverage elsewhere obtain a non-resident permit from a state that issues one.