Vermont H 604: An act relating to semiautomatic assault weapons

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.604
2026 Page 1 of 4

VT LEG #386288 v.1
H.604 1
Introduced by Representative Kimbell of Woodstock 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Crimes; firearms; semiautomatic assault weapons 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the 6
manufacture, possession, and transfer of semiautomatic assault weapons. 7
An act relating to semiautomatic assault weapons 8
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 9
Sec. 1. 13 V.S.A. § 4028 is added to read: 10
§ 4028. SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS; MANUFACTURE, 11
POSSESSION, AND TRANSFER PROHIBITED 12
(a) A person shall not manufacture, possess, or transfer a semiautomatic 13
assault weapon. 14
(b) A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned for not more 15
than one year or fined not more than $500.00, or both. 16
(c) This section shall not apply to any semiautomatic assault weapon 17
possessed by: 18
(1) a federal law enforcement officer or a law enforcement officer 19
certified as a law enforcement officer by the Vermont Criminal Justice 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.604
2026 Page 2 of 4

VT LEG #386288 v.1
Training Council pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2358 for legitimate law enforcement 1
purposes, whether the officer is on or off duty; or 2
(2) an active member of the Vermont National Guard, of the National 3
Guard of another state, or of the U.S. Armed Forces. 4
(d)(1) As used in this section, “semiautomatic assault weapon” means: 5
(A) a semiautomatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable 6
magazine and has at least one of the following features: 7
(i) a folding or telescoping stock; 8
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of 9
the weapon; 10
(iii) a thumbhole stock; 11
(iv) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the 12
nontrigger hand; 13
(v) a bayonet mount; 14
(vi) a flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or 15
threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or 16
muzzle compensator; or 17
(vii) a grenade launcher; 18
(B) a semiautomatic pistol that has the ability to accept a detachable 19
magazine and has at least one of the following features: 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.604
2026 Page 3 of 4

VT LEG #386288 v.1
(i) a folding or telescoping stock; 1
(ii) a thumbhole stock; 2
(iii) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the 3
nontrigger hand; 4
(iv) the capacity to accept an ammunition magazine that attaches 5
to the pistol outside the pistol grip; 6
(v) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash 7
suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer; 8
(vi) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely 9
encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the 10
nontrigger hand without being burned; 11
(vii) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol 12
is unloaded; or 13
(viii) a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm; or 14
(C) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least one of the following 15
features: 16
(i) a folding or telescoping stock; 17
(ii) a thumbhole stock; 18
(iii) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the 19
nontrigger hand; 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.604
2026 Page 4 of 4

VT LEG #386288 v.1
(iv) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds; or 1
(v) the ability to accept a detachable magazine. 2
(2) “Semiautomatic assault weapon” does not include: 3
(A) a firearm that: 4
(i) is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action; 5
(ii) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or 6
(iii) is an antique firearm as defined in section 4017 of this title; 7
(B) a semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable magazine 8
that holds more than five rounds of ammunition; or 9
(C) a semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five rounds 10
of ammunition in a fixed or detachable magazine. 11
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 12
This act shall take effect on passage. 13