Bill
S 329
The bill strengthens gun control by expanding prohibitions and penalties, including banning firearm possession on alcohol-serving premises and for those with violent-crime convicti
Proposed by: Senator Philip Baruth
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Status: Introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee (as of 2026-04-15)
Purpose and overall intent
- The bill codifies new and updated prohibitions and penalties related to firearms, with the aim of strengthening penalties and clarifying who may possess firearms. It also expands the set of circumstances under which firearm possession is prohibited and creates additional restrictions on certain locations (premises licensed to serve alcohol).
Key provisions and changes
1) Grand Larceny involving firearms
- Amend § 2501 (Grand Larceny) to treat stealing a firearm, of any value, as grand larceny.
- Current threshold: property exceeding $900 or specific categories (including firearms) trigger enhanced penalties.
- Result: Any firearm theft is punishable as grand larceny (imprisonment up to 10 years and/or fines up to $5,000, or both), regardless of firearm value.
2) Prohibited persons – conviction of violent crime
- Amend § 4017 to prohibit firearm possession by a person convicted of a violent crime.
- Penalties:
- First offense: up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- Second or subsequent offenses: up to 3 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $5,000 fine.
- Clarifications:
- Defines “firearm” to include weapons designed to expel a projectile by explosive; frame or receiver; firearm muffler/silencer.
- Excludes antique firearms (as defined by the statute).
- “Violent crime” includes listed crimes and certain comparable offenses or sentences in other jurisdictions, plus specific categories (e.g., sexual exploitation of children, certain drug offenses with firearm prohibitions).
3) Fugitives, protection orders, and related prohibitions
- Maintain existing prohibitions on possessing firearms for:
- Fugitives from justice
- Individuals subject to final relief from abuse orders or final stalking orders (if the order prohibits possession)
- Individuals with pending charges for certain offenses (dangerous weapon while committing a felony, trafficking, human trafficking)
- Individuals found to be in need of treatment for mental health/competency issues (and related court orders)
- Penalties:
- First offense: up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine
- Second or subsequent offenses: up to 3 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $5,000 fine
- Definitions: expands on “firearm” and clarifies conditions for “fugitive from justice.”
4) Bump-fire stocks and machine guns
- § 4022: Adds prohibited possession of bump-fire stocks and machine guns.
- Penalties: up to 1 year imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- Administrative note: Department of Public Safety to promote a voluntary, anonymous relinquishment process for bump-fire stocks prior to an October 1, 2018 date (existing.
5) Possession of firearms on alcohol-serving premises
- New § 4028: Prohibits possessing a firearm on premises licensed to serve alcohol.
- Penalties: up to 1 year imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- Exceptions (non-exhaustive):
- Certain licensed premises or outdoor/permits scenarios (second-class licenses, outdoor consumption permits, limited event permits, etc.)
- Authorized possessors for specific individuals (federal/state law enforcement, on-duty armed personnel, premises license holder under conditions, etc.)
- Notice requirement: Premises owners must post conspicuous notices about the prohibition.
- Firearm definition: aligns with § 4017.
Effective date
- The act takes effect on passage.
Potential impact and considerations
- Increases penalties for firearms-related offenses, particularly for possession by individuals with violent-crime convictions.
- Expands prohibitions on firearm possession to more categories (fugitives, certain protective orders, mental-health-related restrictions).
- Tightens gun control in social venues by banning firearms on alcohol-serving premises, with stated exceptions and enforcement details.
- Targets specific firearms technology (bump-fire stocks, machine guns) with criminal penalties and an administratively guided relinquishment program for older stock.
- Ambiguities to monitor: how Vermont courts interpret “violent crime” definitions and cross-jurisdictional offenses; operational details of the alcohol-premises exception and notice requirements.
Effective date note
- Because the bill states “This act shall take effect on passage,” enactment would occur upon the governor’s signature or otherwise becoming law.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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