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quick question

cmg266

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This is probably asked a lot, but isn't it legal to CCW without a permit in vermont? I thought it was but I'm not sure. Thanks
 

vermonter

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Just don't open carry in Burlington on Church Street, at the Burlington Town Square Mall, or at the Univrsity Mall (it is posted no weapons). They cannot arrest you, but you WILL recieve a notice of tresspass and be banned. If you get caught after a tresspass notice has been issued you will go to jail.These 3 areas are private property, just conceal and you will have no problem. Also off limits are ALL state buildings (DMV Etc), institutions (jails/mental), schools (incl univ), all federal, andthe airport sterile areas. No one OC's here except when in the woods or in really rural towns/areas away from Burlington. All in all VT has the fewest restrictions of any state on where you can carry. You can even go into a police station, I have but I know the cops. You don't need "permission" to carry here in Vermont.
 

Vermonter0524

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I have lived in VT all my life also, but don't open carry. I have to question the Church St. ban. I believe Church Street itself is a public street and therefore under VT Constitution, cannot have a ban on carrying firearms either openly or concealed. I wonder about the City square also. Our State's constitution does not allow towns, cities and municipalities to stipulate where or how we carry our firearms, only where they can be discharged. Owners of private property can require no weapons, but as you said, the most they can do is ask you to leave.

One of the reasons why I believe CC'ing is more beneficial. I have no need to "make a statement" about open carrying.
 

vermonter

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I was under the impression that Church "Street" is private property managed by Church St Marketplace ( http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/ ), and is considered one big open air mall from Main St to Pearl. I know from talking to BPD that when people are trespassed from Burl Sq Mall they are trespassed from all businesses on the bricked outdoor area. Anyway, I'm not going totest it, so I CCW everywhere. With all the NYC gangster hoodlums I would not want to risk a gun grab.I would also go to great lengths to keep them from being aware that carry was legal in Vermont (not that all of them aren't violent felons banned from ownership/carry anyway). I have OC'ed in Williston and other towns in the summer. B'Town is becoming one big Ghetto courtesy of NJ, NY and MA!
 

gunnerk19

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vermonter wrote:
Just don't open carry in Burlington on Church Street, at the Burlington Town Square Mall, or at the Univrsity Mall (it is posted no weapons). They cannot arrest you, but you WILL recieve a notice of tresspass and be banned. If you get caught after a tresspass notice has been issued you will go to jail.These 3 areas are private property, just conceal and you will have no problem. Also off limits are ALL state buildings (DMV Etc), institutions (jails/mental), schools (incl univ), all federal, andthe airport sterile areas. No one OC's here except when in the woods or in really rural towns/areas away from Burlington. All in all VT has the fewest restrictions of any state on where you can carry. You can even go into a police station, I have but I know the cops. You don't need "permission" to carry here in Vermont.

I'm currently the Head of Security at Umall, and the NOT part is true enough; however, if someone should decide to carry concealed, it would be in their best interest to do so without the pistol "printing" thru clothing... If I see someone walk by with what may be a handgun outlined underneath a shirt, myself and an armed SBPD Officer will be speaking to them...
 

slickrock

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I have shopped on Church street with my 44 on my hip after running the dogs and it was pointed out to me by a SBPD officer, who asked where I was from, I told him and I said, oops, don't even know I have it on anymore, you know? and he said go put it in you truck please .

It's never an issue when you make a mistake or forget, a real vermonter especially one who hunts everyday is GOING to have a gun on, likely as not, and he or she will forget it is there. Anyone asks to remove it, we do, we have even been in restaurants that flatlanders bought and run here and they asked no guns inside, we didnt get pissed, it's their house, their rules, they get nervous about guns fine, we snapped them out of the holsters and into the truck out of sight and we all piled back in to have breakfast.

no big deal.
 

vermonter

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Slickrock,

It's great that you hunt and carry your .44, but the reality in Burlington (or anywhere for that matter) is that is carrying a concealed pistol for lawful self defense is becoming more and more common (and necessary). Look at all the states that have become "shall issue". There is a reason legislatures have been pushing this and "stand your ground" laws. I know real "Vermonters" are clueless as to what is moving into the Old North End. I see hard core gang bangers who would not hesitate to shoot someone for looking at them the wrong way. I CCW EVERYWHERE including the U-Mall. Like gunnerk says "just don't let it print". My .32 Seecamp hides nicely in a wallet holster. I don't pay attention to private property signs, or "no firearms" postings. They mean nothing in Vermont. All they can do is ask you to leave under threat of a trespass warning. Just keep it concealed and it will never come to that. Personally I would never get involved in any incident in a crowded shopping mall unless it was some wing nut randomly shooting at innocent people. I am sure the head of security would not have a problem witha legally armed civilianwhosaved countless lives by stoping a random shooter. The only signs banning guns I have ever seen in VT are at the U-Mall and at the Starr Farm Nursing Home.

BTW there is a mall in Louisville Kentucky where all the guards are armed with Glocks.
 

vermonter

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Here is a follow up about Church Street. I took this from the Burlington Police Web Page regarding "universal trespass" on Church Street Marketplace. I know this relates to a tag game using airsoft, but you could also be trespassed for open carry. Bottom line... Do not OC on Church Street or into the businesses downtown. You will not be charged, but the BPD will trespass you:

http://www.bpdvt.org/News%20Releases%20&%20Docs/Tag%20Game%20Press%20Release%204-4-2008.pdf

I don't want to hear posts about constitutional rights in VT. Church St Marketplace is private property and you can be trespassed. Just CCW and there is no problem as per a BPD Sgt.
 

PavePusher

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I'm curious, if it's private property, how can there be a public ordinance with a monetary penalty for that specific site? Sweet deal for CSM and the city, ayuh! That's almost Chicago style politics there.
 

modificationvt

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Im glad I came accross this, I live in Burlington, and have been contemplating OCing for some of the warmer days here/when I go on long bike rides, but have been hesitant because I was unsure how the local PD would react.

The only OCing I've done so far is from my place to my friends for when we go to the rane (both of us live in the old north end)



since I dont have a car, would it be a bad idea to sling my rifles over my back and bike to the range lol...
 

vermonter

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If you live in the Old North End be careful with OC. I am sure you will get a PD response. You know what the Old N End has become! I really don't wan't tolet the gang bangers to find out OC is legal. I can see it now, pants hanging so low that underwear is showing, and "Mr. Hoodlum" with a glock in da' holster! That will give the Gaye Symington supporters a reason to demand gun control. I would never OC in Burlington, but Iwould in South Burlington, Winooski and other towns in the summer without worry. Of late the trash has been jumping people and beating them up on Archibald St, N. Winooski Etc. I would rather them not know I was carrying. Remember if you shoot someone who is unarmed in VT you will be convicted. They must present a threat and have a means of inflicting deadly force (gun, knife). If you are jumped for you gun, and they are unarmed the picture will be painted that you went looking for trouble if you defend yourself.This is not an issue anywhere else in VT, but remember Burlington is an ultra-liberal city that just coddles gang bangers and their local hoe's. The Burlington PD are dicks and cannot be trusted. I know Winooski, Colchester and SB PD. Most of them are great guys (and Gals), and ar not anti-carry/gun.
 

buketdude

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Church Street is wierd...i was in Burlington this weekend for the Beer Festival and found out if you go inside to get a beer (at a restauant) and want to go back out to the patio to your seat..someone working has to carry your drink out there for you until you sit down..haha....i open carried in Colchester..no problems..
 

modificationvt

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Im on Archibald St.



Thats a good point about OCing informing the thugs that they can do it as well, so I think I will keep on CCing



Thanks to my down stairs neighbros Im almost on a first name basis with the local PD.
 

centercity

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Church street is a public street. You can carry there openly or concealed just like any other street in the state. Going in a business on Church Street while carrying may be another matter though.

I've lived in the Old North End my whole life. These so called "gangbangers" are not true thugs. Most of them are just white kids who like to think they are keeping up with the latest urban styles. The ghetto in Burlington, VT is nothing like the ghetto in Detroit or other big cities. To be honest I'd be more scared walking around in the New North End with all of the drug dealing suburban teenagers who think they are immune to the law because they live in a nice neighborhood where the cops don't visit too often. I've known more than one person who got mugged in the New North End.
 

CrossBow33

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+1 on the public street. When Church Street was actually a street, it was public. I find it hard to believe the city (Bernie Sanders notwithstanding) would have privatized it when they closed it to vehicles.
 
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