Vermont does not have a traditional “Stand Your Ground” statute written into law. Instead, the state’s self-defense framework is shaped by a combination of court decisions and statutes, resulting in a unique legal landscape compared to other states.
Key aspects of Vermont’s self-defense law:
No explicit stand your ground statute: Vermont law does not specifically state that individuals have no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense in public spaces. Traditionally, Vermont imposed a “duty to retreat” in public, meaning a person had to avoid using deadly force if they could safely escape the situation.
Castle Doctrine at home: Vermont follows the Castle Doctrine, which means there is no duty to retreat when threatened inside your own home. In such cases, you may use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect yourself or others.
Judicial “no duty to retreat” principle: Despite the lack of a formal statute, the Vermont Supreme Court has held that a person is not required to retreat if they honestly and reasonably believe that using deadly force is immediately necessary to protect themselves from imminent death or serious bodily injury. This principle has been reflected in Vermont’s model jury instructions, guiding juries that there is no duty to retreat under certain circumstances if the belief in the necessity of force is reasonable.
Recent legislative developments: In 2025, Representative Dolgin introduced a bill (H.457) to formally codify a “stand your ground” law in Vermont, which would explicitly allow individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without first attempting to retreat if they are lawfully present. As of July 2025, this bill is under consideration but has not yet become law.
Current legal uncertainty: Because Vermont’s “no duty to retreat” principle is based on court rulings rather than clear statutory language, there remains some uncertainty for citizens about their exact rights in self-defense situations. Advocates for a statutory stand your ground law argue that codifying these rights would provide clarity, legal protection, and confidence for law-abiding citizens.
Vermont does not currently have a statutory stand your ground law, but court decisions have established that there is generally no duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense if your belief in the necessity of force is reasonable. The Castle Doctrine applies in the home, and a legislative effort is underway to clarify and codify stand your ground rights statewide.
Sources
[1] https://www.citizenportal.ai/articles/2565508/Vermont/Representative-Dolgin-introduces-Vermonts-stand-your-ground-law-for-self-defense
[2] https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/stand-your-ground-in-vermont/
[3] https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1858128
[4] https://mywaynecountynow.com/understanding-vermonts-stand-your-ground-law/
[5] https://vermontdailychronicle.com/soulia-should-vermont-consider-a-stand-your-ground-law/
