2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 13 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure › Chapter 85 - Weapons › § 4010. Gun suppressors

§ 4010. Gun suppressors
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Gun suppressor” means any device for muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a gun suppressor, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.
(2) “Sport shooting range” shall have the same meaning as used in 10 V.S.A. § 5227(a).
(b) A person shall not manufacture, make, or import a gun suppressor, except for:
(1) a licensed manufacturer, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, who is registered as a manufacturer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802;
(2) a licensed importer, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, who is registered as an importer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802; or
(3) a person who makes a gun suppressor in compliance with the requirements of 26 U.S.C. § 5822.
[Subsection (c) effective until July 1, 2024; see also subsection (c) effective July 1, 2024 set out below.]
(c) A person shall not use a gun suppressor in the State, except for use by:
(1) a Level III certified law enforcement officer or Department of Fish and Wildlife employee in connection with the officer’s or employee’s duties and responsibilities and in accordance with the policies and procedures of that officer’s or employee’s agency or department;
(2) the Vermont National Guard in connection with its duties and responsibilities;
(3) a licensed manufacturer or a licensed importer, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, who is also registered as a manufacturer or an importer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802, who in the ordinary course of the manufacturer’s or importer’s business as a manufacturer or as an importer tests the operation of the gun suppressor;
(4) a person lawfully using a sport shooting range; or
(5) a person taking game as authorized under 10 V.S.A. § 4701.
[Subsection (c) effective July 1, 2024; see also subsection (c) effective until July 1, 2024 set out above.]
(c) A person shall not use a gun suppressor in the State, except for use by:
(1) a Level III certified law enforcement officer or Department of Fish and Wildlife employee in connection with the officer’s or employee’s duties and responsibilities and in accordance with the policies and procedures of that officer’s or employee’s agency or department;
(2) the Vermont National Guard in connection with its duties and responsibilities;
(3) a licensed manufacturer or a licensed importer, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, who is also registered as a manufacturer or an importer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5802, who in the ordinary course of the manufacturer’s or importer’s business as a manufacturer or as an importer tests the operation of the gun suppressor; or
(4) a person lawfully using a sport shooting range.
(d)(1) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 for each offense.
(2) A person who violates subsection (c) of this section shall be fined $50.00 for each offense. (Amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238f, eff. June 3, 2010; 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. July 1, 2015; 2015, No. 61, § 15, eff. July 2, 2015; 2021, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2022; 2021, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. July 1, 2024.)