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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont bill prohibits firearms in alcohol-serving establishments and requires warning postings
Last action · January 21, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsors: Tiffany Bluemle and 7 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont bill H.45 prohibits individuals from knowingly carrying firearms in establishments licensed to serve alcohol, while requiring owners to conspicuously post warning notices at all public entrances. Violating the possession ban carries penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, while failing to post required notices results in a fine of up to $500. Exemptions apply for on-duty law enforcement, military personnel, and business owners, and repeat violations can lead to the suspension or revocation of alcohol licenses.
Patrons and owners of bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving businesses face new legal liabilities and operational mandates regarding firearm possession and signage on their premises.
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.
Owners and operators of alcohol-licensed premises
Owners and operators must post warning notices at each public entrance and face potential fines or license suspension or revocation for repeated violations.
Law enforcement officers and military personnel
Qualified on-duty law enforcement officers and military members are granted explicit exemptions allowing them to possess firearms on alcohol-licensed premises.
Key Facts
- A person shall not knowingly possess a firearm on premises where alcohol is licensed to be served.
- Owners or operators of alcohol-licensed premises must conspicuously post notice of the firearm prohibition at each public entrance.
- Violating the possession ban is punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
- Failing to post required warning notices carries a fine of not more than $500.00.
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- Second or subsequent violations can result in the suspension or revocation of the premises' alcohol permit or license by control commissioners or the Board of Liquor and Lottery.
- The restrictions do not apply to premises used by the holder of a second-class license.
- Exemptions from the possession ban are provided for certified law enforcement officers, out-of-state law enforcement on duty, on-duty military personnel, and premises owners who are legally permitted to possess a firearm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalties for carrying a firearm in a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol under this bill?
Are business owners required to display any warning signs?
Who is exempt from the firearm prohibition?
Does this restriction apply to all establishments that sell alcohol?
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 21, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the 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
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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