§ 4071. Paramilitary training prohibited
(a) A person shall not:
(1) teach, train, or demonstrate to any other person the use, application, or making of
a firearm, explosive, or incendiary device capable of causing injury or death, or
techniques capable of causing injury or death to persons, if the person knows or reasonably
should know that the teaching, training, or demonstrating is intended to be used in
or in furtherance of a civil disorder; or
(2) assemble with one or more other persons for the purpose of practicing or being taught,
trained, or instructed in the use, application, or making of a firearm, explosive,
or incendiary device capable of causing injury or death, or in techniques capable
of causing injury or death to persons, if the person knows or reasonably should know
that the practicing, teaching, training, or instruction is intended to be used in
or in furtherance of a civil disorder.
(b) A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than five years or
fined not more than $50,000.00, or both.
(c) This section shall not apply to:
(1) activity engaged in for legitimate law enforcement purposes by a federal law enforcement
officer or a law enforcement officer certified as a law enforcement officer by the
Vermont Criminal Justice Council pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2358;
(2) lawful activity engaged in by students at Norwich University or any other educational
institution where military science is taught as a prescribed part of the course of
instruction;
(3) any activity undertaken without knowledge of or intent to cause or further a civil
disorder that is intended to teach or practice self-defense or self-defense techniques,
including karate clubs, self-defense clinics, and similar lawful activity;
(4) any facility, program, or lawful activity related to firearms instruction and training
that is intended to teach the safe handling and use of firearms; or
(5) any lawful sports or activities related to the individual recreational use or possession
of firearms, including hunting pursuant to 10 V.S.A. part 4, target shooting, self-defense,
and firearms collection. (Added 2023, No. 13, § 1, eff. May 8, 2023.)