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VermontH.6062025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to firearms relinquishment and storage procedures

Sponsored By: Angela Arsenault (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Court checks for third-party firearm holders

Third-party holders need court approval before storing surrendered firearms. They must undergo a federal background check and give the results to the court. They must also file a sworn statement confirming receipt, legal eligibility, secure storage duties, and possible civil contempt penalties. If the surrendering person or anyone else without permission gains access, the holder faces civil contempt. The holder must immediately transfer all surrendered items to law enforcement or an approved firearms dealer.

Dealer storage options come with fees

Police may use an approved dealer when they lack space or choose not to store firearms that are not evidence. Police must provide owner and order details to the dealer and keep proof of timely notice to the owner. The notice explains dealer contacts, fees, address-update duties, third-party options, and possible loss of unclaimed firearms after 90 days of release eligibility. Police storage costs up to $200 for the first firearm and $50 for each additional firearm for up to 15 months, prorated by storage time; afterward, the charge is $50 per firearm per year or part of a year. Dealers may charge reasonable administrative fees and must provide their fee schedules to the state on request. Fees generally start only after a final order; dealer storage during a temporary order requires the defendant's consent and agreement to pay fees.

Firearm returns require checks; unclaimed guns sell

Owners generally need a court order to recover stored items, and weapons cannot return to someone legally barred from possession. The holder must make items available within 72 hours after a federal background check is completed, subject to court rules. For firearms eligible for release but left unclaimed, the holder must send a certified letter to the owner's last known address. After 90 days without a claim following that notice, the holder may sell the firearms at fair market value and keep all proceeds. A sale cannot occur before a final relief-from-abuse or extreme risk protection order is in effect.

Immediate weapon surrender under protective orders

Beginning July 1, 2026, people covered by qualifying protective orders or federal possession bans must immediately surrender covered firearms, ammunition, and weapons. Surrender goes to cooperating law enforcement or an approved licensed firearms dealer, unless a court approves a safe third-party arrangement after a hearing. People surrendering firearms must file a court-approved form identifying who holds them, as the order directs. Extreme risk orders use this shared process, replacing separate rules for storage, return, sales, liability, and state standards. Other dangerous weapons surrendered under extreme risk orders go to law enforcement for transfer to federal firearms authorities for disposal.

Advance firearm-return notice for protected parties

Before returning firearms, law enforcement must make reasonable efforts to notify the person who sought protection at least 24 hours ahead. Separate advance notice is not required if that person attends court when the order is dismissed. In that case, the court must tell them on the record that the firearms will be released.

Statewide standards for surrendered firearm storage

By December 30, 2026, Vermont's Department of Public Safety must direct the Law Enforcement Advisory Board to adopt a statewide model policy. It covers weapon removal during domestic violence calls and order service, victim notice, dealer coordination, storage, and explaining third-party options. Every state, county, and municipal police agency must adopt all model components by June 30, 2027; otherwise, the model automatically applies. The state must set storage standards and police fees, list qualified locations, and support dealer participation; listed dealers must certify compliance annually. Agencies and approved dealers must photograph, list, and store surrendered items under state standards, excluding items used or potentially used as criminal evidence; the model also requires firearm counts, types, and descriptions.

Storage providers gain limited liability protection

Law enforcement and licensed firearms dealers gain protection from civil or criminal liability for sales when they provide required notice. They also gain protection for damage or deterioration during storage or transport, limiting owners' legal remedies. Protection for damage or deterioration does not cover recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Arsenault

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Amy D Sheldon

    Democratic • House

  • Chea Waters Evans

    Democratic • House

  • Doug Bishop

    Democratic • House

  • Edye Graning

    Democratic • House

  • Ela Chapin

    Democratic • House

  • Emilie Krasnow

    Democratic • House

  • Esme Cole

    Democratic • House

  • Gayle S Pezzo

    Democratic • House

  • Golrang "Rey" Garofano

    Democratic • House

  • Herb Olson

    Democratic • House

  • Karen N Dolan

    Democratic • House

  • Kate McCann

    Democratic • House

  • Kathleen C James

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Satcowitz

    Democratic • House

  • Leslie Goldman

    Democratic • House

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

  • Mary-Katherine A Stone

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Mrowicki

    Democratic • House

  • Phil Pouech

    Democratic • House

  • R. Scott Campbell

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca Holcombe

    Democratic • House

  • Robin P Scheu

    Democratic • House

  • Trevor J Squirrell

    Democratic • House

  • Troy Headrick

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 15, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 9, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    5/28/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/26/2026House

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/26/2026House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2026House

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/21/2026Senate

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/20/2026Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    5/20/2026Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    5/19/2026Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    5/19/2026Senate

  13. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary

    5/19/2026Senate

  14. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/19/2026Senate

  15. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/19/2026Senate

  16. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/15/2026Senate

  17. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/15/2026Senate

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/14/2026Senate

  19. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate

  20. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/13/2026Senate

  21. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/13/2026Senate

  22. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/12/2026Senate

  23. New Business/Second Reading

    5/12/2026Senate

  24. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/8/2026Senate

  25. Second Reading

    5/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 134)Opens in a new window

    6/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    6/2/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    6/2/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/7/2026

    PDF

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