Buying a gun online in Vermont and hunting rifles for Vermont game

Short answer: You can buy a hunting rifle online, but it must be transferred through a licensed dealer, with a federal background check. In Vermont, the statutes we checked set a waiting period, a minimum sale age of 21 (with exceptions), and a limit on large-capacity magazines.

How buying a rifle online works

You choose the rifle online. It is not handed to you at home. A licensed dealer completes the transfer.
You fill in the dealer's transfer paperwork (ATF Form 4473) in person.
Before the transfer, the dealer must contact NICS, the federal background check system (27 CFR 478.102).
Federal age rules for a dealer sale: 18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for handguns and handgun ammunition (27 CFR 478.99(b)).
A dealer may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensee who does not live in the dealer's state, with one exception for rifles and shotguns that meets 27 CFR 478.96(c), including an in-person meeting at the dealer's premises (27 CFR 478.99(a)).

Vermont rules (as of the cited sources)

Topic	What the law says	Source
Waiting period	A firearm may not be transferred until the first of: 72 hours after the dealer receives a NICS identification number, or seven business days after the dealer contacts NICS. Penalty: up to one year in prison, a fine up to $500, or both.	13 V.S.A. 4019a
Minimum age to buy	A person may not sell a firearm to someone under 21. Exceptions include law enforcement, current or veteran military members, and buyers who show proof of a hunter safety course (Vermont, or another state or Canadian province, as approved by the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife).	13 V.S.A. 4020
Magazine size	The law defines a large-capacity feeding device as one holding more than 10 rounds for a long gun or more than 15 for a handgun. The definition excludes an attached tube made only for .22 rimfire, and devices made or sold solely for lever-action or bolt-action long guns (or antique or curio and relic firearms).	13 V.S.A. 4021
Hunting with autoloaders	An autoloading rifle with a magazine over 6 cartridges is illegal for hunting, except a .22 rimfire rifle.	eRegulations Vermont

Laws can change. These rows reflect the pages linked below when we checked them. Because of the waiting period, plan ahead. Do not book a hunting trip for the day your rifle arrives.

Hunting basics from Vermont Fish and Wildlife

Hunter education: All first-time hunters, bowhunters and trappers must finish the course before getting that type of license. There is no minimum age for an in-person course; students under 16 need a parent consent form. The online option is for Vermont residents 18 and older.
Mentored license: A child can buy a mentor license and hunt with a fully licensed adult for up to two years. Call the licensing office or see the department page for details.
Deer: The department lists the 2026 regular rifle season as Nov. 14 to Nov. 29. One legal buck may be taken anywhere in the state. Antlerless deer need an antlerless permit. Every deer must be reported in person at a Big Game Station.
Hunting laws: Handguns are allowed wherever a rifle may be used. Laser sights are illegal for hunting. Machine guns may not be used, carried or possessed while hunting.

Choosing a hunting rifle

We do not give a cartridge list here. Read the current Vermont Guide to Hunting and Trapping Laws before you choose a cartridge. Bolt-action and lever-action rifles are simple, common choices for hunting. Pick a rifle that fits you, and practice before the season.

FAQ

Can I order a rifle online and have it shipped to my house?

No. The transfer goes through a licensed dealer, who runs the NICS check before handing it over.

How long will I wait in Vermont?

Under 13 V.S.A. 4019a, until 72 hours after the dealer gets a NICS identification number, or seven business days after the check is started, whichever comes first.

Do I need hunter education?

First-time hunters must complete it before buying a license of that type. Check the department's hunter education pages for courses.

Check current rules

This page does not cover other Vermont rules or changes made after the cited pages. Check current rules with the state attorney general, state police or your dealer, and read the current regulations guide.