An act relating to prohibiting possession of firearms in government buildings

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 3 co-sponsors

Prohibits possessing firearms in government buildings in Vermont, with limited official-duty exceptions, posting requirements, and a July 1, 2026 start date.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Summary of H.368 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

Proposes to prohibit the possession of firearms in government buildings in Vermont.

Aims to regulate where firearms may be carried by individuals within buildings owned, leased, or operated by the State, a political subdivision, or a municipality, with limited exceptions.

Key provisions and changes

Sec. 4028: Possession of firearms in government buildings prohibited

A person may not knowingly possess a firearm in a government building.
Penalties: up to 1 year imprisonment, fines up to $1,000, or both.

Exceptions (not prohibited conduct):

Firearms carried for legitimate law enforcement purposes by:
Federal law enforcement officers, or
Vermont-certified law enforcement officers (per 20 V.S.A. § 2358).
Firearms carried by a person while performing official duties as an employee of the United States, or a state or local government entity, if authorized to carry a firearm as part of official duties.

Notice and enforcement

Notice of the prohibition must be conspicuously posted at each public entrance to every government building.

Definitions and scope

“Firearm” follows the definition in § 4017(d) of the title.
“Government building” includes buildings owned, leased, rented, or operated by the State, a political subdivision, or a municipality.
Exclusions for government buildings include:
Buildings (or portions) owned/operated by a municipality where the municipal legislative body has:
- Reserved a location as permitting firearms, or
- Opted out of the prohibition by designating that all municipal buildings permit firearms.

Effective date

The act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Who/what is affected

Affects individuals who would otherwise carry firearms in government buildings.

Specifically exempts:

Federal law enforcement officers and Vermont-certified local law enforcement officers when carrying for official duties.
Individuals carrying firearms while performing official duties for the United States or state/local government, if authorized.

Government buildings subject to the prohibition include state, county, and municipal buildings, with municipal opt-out provisions as described.

Municipalities have the ability to designate certain buildings or portions as firearms-permitted or to opt back into the statewide prohibition for all municipal buildings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced by: Rep. LaLonde, Rep. Harrison, Rep. Arsenault, Rep. Black.

Filed to: Committee on Judiciary (as of last action: February 26, 2025).

Status: Read first time and referred to Judiciary; no further committee activity listed in the provided text.

Implementation timeline: If enacted, the prohibition would take effect July 1, 2026.

Additional notes

The bill includes a balancing approach for municipalities via designated exceptions or opt-outs, allowing local flexibility on building firearm access.

Clear posting requirement ensures public awareness of the restriction in government facilities.

This summary reflects the introduced text and described provisions. For consideration, legislative amendments or fiscal impact reports (if any) would provide further detail on enforcement logistics, cost implications for agencies, and potential interaction with broader firearm policy.