How to Get an FFL in Vermont
Vermont is the birthplace of constitutional carry in America — and since 2018, its universal background check law has made FFL dealers more essential than ever for facilitating lawful firearm transfers. Whether you're opening a gun shop in Burlington, a home-based dealership in Rutland, or a transfer-only operation in the Northeast Kingdom — here's everything you need to apply, get approved, and stay compliant.
(3-year license)
Time
License Required
Law (since 2018)
Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting your application, confirm that you meet all federal eligibility criteria. Vermont does not impose additional state-level eligibility requirements for FFL applicants beyond standard business registration.
Federal Requirements (All States)
- At least 21 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not under indictment or convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Not a fugitive from justice
- Not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance
- Not adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
- Not subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child
- Not convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Have premises for conducting business (can be home-based in Vermont)
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal, state, or local law
Vermont-Specific Eligibility Notes
- Vermont does not require a separate state firearms dealer license — your federal FFL is sufficient
- You will need to register your business with the Vermont Secretary of State
- A Vermont Sales Tax registration is required from the Vermont Department of Taxes
- Vermont has a magazine capacity restriction of 10 rounds for both handguns and rifles — critical for FFL inventory management (see Vermont-Specific section below)
- Zoning compliance is required — especially important for home-based FFLs
FFL Types & Cost Breakdown
The type of FFL you apply for depends on your intended business activities. Most Vermont gun stores apply for a Type 01 license.
| Type | Description | Initial Fee (3 Yr) | Renewal Fee (3 Yr) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dealer in Firearms | $200 | $90 | Gun stores, home-based dealers |
| 02 | Pawnbroker | $200 | $90 | Pawn shops dealing in firearms |
| 03 | Collector of Curios & Relics | $30 | $30 | Personal collectors (not for business) |
| 06 | Manufacturer of Ammunition | $30 | $30 | Ammo reloaders and manufacturers |
| 07 | Manufacturer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Gun builders, custom shops |
| 08 | Importer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Firearms importers |
| 09 | Dealer in Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized dealers |
| 10 | Manufacturer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized manufacturers |
| 11 | Importer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized importers |
Vermont is NFA-friendly — suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are all legal with the appropriate federal tax stamps. If you plan to deal in NFA items, you'll need a Special Occupational Tax (SOT) in addition to your FFL. Class 3 SOT is $500/year for dealers with gross receipts under $500K.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Prepare Your Business Structure
Decide on your business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation). Register with the Vermont Secretary of State if forming an LLC or corporation. Obtain an EIN from the IRS. Register for Vermont Sales Tax with the Vermont Department of Taxes. Confirm your premises meets local zoning requirements.
Choose Your FFL Type
Review the table above and select the FFL type that matches your business activities. Most retail gun stores and transfer agents choose Type 01. Pawn shops choose Type 02. If you plan to manufacture firearms, you'll need Type 07.
Complete ATF Form 7 / 7CR
Download ATF Form 7 (5310.12) or Form 7CR for C&R collectors. Provide detailed information about your business, all responsible persons, premises address, and intended activities. Double-check every field — errors are the #1 cause of application delays.
Complete Fingerprint Cards & Photographs
Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2×2 passport-style photographs. In Vermont, fingerprints can be taken at many local law enforcement agencies or authorized third-party providers.
Submit Application & Fee
Mail the completed Form 7/7CR, fingerprint cards, photographs, and application fee (check or money order payable to ATF) to the ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center in Atlanta, GA. The mailing address is printed on the form.
Notify Your Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO)
Send a copy of your completed ATF Form 7/7CR to the CLEO in your jurisdiction — typically your county sheriff or municipal chief of police. This is a notification only; the CLEO does not need to approve your application.
Complete the ATF Interview & Inspection
An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will contact you to schedule a visit to your premises. They will verify your identity, inspect storage and security arrangements, and confirm your understanding of federal firearms laws — including 4473 procedures, the A&D bound book, and NICS background check requirements.
Set Up Your Compliance Systems
Once your FFL is approved, establish your A&D Bound Book, implement 4473 processing, and set up your NICS background check workflow before your first transaction. In Vermont, where universal background check requirements apply to private party transfers too, starting with a streamlined digital system like Bravo E4473 from day one is especially valuable.
Timeline & Process Flowchart
Here's a realistic timeline for the Vermont FFL application process from start to finish:
| Phase | Activity | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Application | Business setup, zoning check, entity registration | 1–2 weeks |
| Application | Complete ATF Form 7, fingerprints, photos, submit | 1–2 weeks |
| ATF Processing | Background checks, application review | 30–45 days |
| ATF Interview | Inspector visit, premises inspection | 1–2 weeks (scheduling) |
| Approval | FFL issued | 1–2 weeks after interview |
| Total | Business setup through FFL in hand | 60–90 days typical |
Vermont-Specific Requirements
Vermont has a unique mix of gun laws — it's historically one of the most permissive states (the original constitutional carry state), but since 2018 has added several restrictions that directly affect FFL dealers. Understanding these is essential before you open for business.
State Business Requirements
- Sales Tax Registration — Required from the Vermont Department of Taxes. Vermont's sales tax rate is 6%. Firearms and ammunition are generally subject to sales tax.
- Business Registration — LLCs and corporations must register with the Vermont Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a trade name should file a DBA registration.
- Local Permits — Vermont has 246 municipalities. Check with your town or city clerk for any local business licensing requirements.
Vermont Firearms Laws Relevant to FFLs
- Universal Background Checks (Act 94, 2018) — Vermont requires background checks for all firearm transfers, including private party sales. Transfers between immediate family members are exempt. All other private transfers must go through a licensed dealer. This significantly increases transfer business for Vermont FFLs.
- Magazine Capacity Limit — Vermont prohibits magazines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds for handguns and 10 rounds for rifles (enacted 2018). Magazines manufactured before April 11, 2018 are grandfathered. FFLs must not sell or transfer restricted magazines to Vermont residents.
- No state waiting period for firearm purchases (NICS Proceed = immediate transfer)
- No state permit to purchase required
- Constitutional carry — Vermont has allowed permitless carry since statehood; there is no state concealed carry permit system
- Bump stocks prohibited — Vermont banned bump stock devices in 2018
- Minimum age for handgun transfers — Vermont raised the minimum age for handgun purchases from an FFL to 21 (state law mirrors federal); long gun purchases remain 18
Vermont's 10-round magazine limit is one of the most operationally significant state laws for Vermont FFLs. Before ordering inventory, verify that all magazines comply with Vermont law. Selling a prohibited magazine to a Vermont resident — even unknowingly — creates legal exposure. When in doubt, consult with a Vermont firearms attorney.
All FFLs in Vermont must maintain a bound book (A&D record) per 27 CFR 478.125 and retain completed ATF Form 4473 records for at least 20 years per 27 CFR 478.129. Electronic systems like Bravo's E4473 with cloud storage make long-term record retention dramatically easier than paper filing.
CLEO Notification in Vermont
Federal law requires you to provide a copy of your ATF Form 7 or 7CR to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in your jurisdiction. In Vermont, this is typically your county sheriff or your municipal chief of police if you're located within a town or city with a police department. Vermont has 14 counties. This is a notification only — the CLEO cannot approve or deny your FFL application.
How to Find Your CLEO
- County Sheriff — Vermont has 14 elected county sheriffs. Find yours via the Vermont Sheriffs' Association
- Municipal Police Chief — If you're in a town or city with its own police department (Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, etc.), notify that department's chief
- Vermont State Police — In areas without a local department, the Vermont State Police may be the appropriate CLEO contact
While the CLEO notification is informational and does not require approval, skipping it can create friction during ATF processing. Send it at the same time you mail your ATF Form 7 application, or shortly after.
Home-Based FFLs in Vermont
Vermont is well-suited for home-based FFLs, particularly in its many rural towns. Vermont has no state law prohibiting home-based FFL operations, and much of the state is rural with limited zoning restrictions. Key considerations:
- Zoning — Vermont municipalities vary widely. Larger towns like Burlington and South Burlington have more structured zoning ordinances that may restrict home-based business activities. Many smaller towns have minimal restrictions. Always check with your town zoning administrator before applying.
- Storage & Security — The ATF inspector will verify secure firearm storage at your premises. A quality gun safe or dedicated locked storage room is expected.
- Act 250 Land Use — Vermont's Act 250 environmental and land use law applies to certain commercial developments. Most small home-based FFL operations will not trigger Act 250 review, but it's worth being aware of if you plan to construct any outbuildings or make significant improvements to your property.
- Insurance — Standard homeowner's insurance will not cover commercial firearms inventory or business liability. A commercial firearms dealer policy is strongly recommended before taking in any inventory.
Vermont's universal background check law (Act 94) means that private party firearm sales must go through a licensed dealer. This creates a steady stream of transfer business for Vermont FFLs — even home-based operations can build a reliable local transfer business at $25–$50 per transfer without needing to hold significant inventory.
4473 Requirements in Vermont
Every firearm transfer from an FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473. Vermont follows standard federal 4473 requirements with no additional state-specific forms. However, Vermont's universal background check law means FFLs also facilitate private party transfers — each of which requires its own 4473 and NICS check.
Official Resources & Links
Bookmark these — you'll reference them throughout the application process and during ongoing operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once You Have Your FFL, Bravo's E4473 Keeps You Compliant from Day One
Smart 4473 forms. Integrated A&D Bound Book. Cloud storage with ATF audit portal. Auto-generated multiple sale reports. All in one system — no bolt-on integrations required.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the ATF and your legal counsel before applying.