The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont bans machine guns and rapid-fire devices and establishes a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a $1,000 fine
Last action · January 6, 2026: Read 1st time & referred to Committee on JudiciarySponsor: Phil Baruth
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont prohibits the possession of machine guns, s, and s, making violations punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The legislation directs the Department of Public Safety to create a voluntary and anonymous surrender process prior to the effective date. The act takes effect upon passage.
Residents possessing specific firearm modification devices or automatic weapons face criminal penalties including imprisonment and financial fines, while gun owners are offered a structured path for anonymous surrender.
- The General Assembly of the State of Vermont is the state legislature responsible for enacting laws in Vermont. context
- S.160 was introduced in the Vermont Senate during the 2025-2026 legislative session and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Vermont residents
Residents face new criminal prohibitions and penalties regarding the possession of specific firearm devices and automatic weapons.
Department of Public Safety
The Department is required to develop, promote, and execute a collection process for the voluntary and anonymous relinquishment of prohibited devices.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items are prohibited under this bill?
What are the penalties for violating the possession ban?
Is there a way to safely surrender prohibited items?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 6, 2026SenateIntroducedRead 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Prohibited Firearm Modifications
The bill updates existing Vermont statutes to expand prohibitions beyond bump-fire stocks to include auto sears and other rapid-fire devices.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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