Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, § 4253 (2026)

Subchapter 003 : MISCELLANEOUS

• § 4253. Use of a firearm while selling or dispensing a drug

  (a) A person who uses a firearm during and in relation to selling or dispensing a regulated drug in violation of subdivision 4230(b)(3), 4231(b)(3), 4232(b)(3), 4233(b)(3), 4234(b)(3), 4234a(b)(3), 4235(c)(3), or 4235a(b)(3) of this title shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both, in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime.

  (b) A person who uses a firearm during and in relation to trafficking a regulated drug in violation of subsection 4230(c), 4231(c), 4233(c), or 4234a(c) of this title shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime.

  (c) For purposes of this section, “use of a firearm” includes:

  (1) using a firearm while selling or trafficking a regulated drug; and

  (2) the exchange of firearms for drugs, and this section shall apply to the person who trades a firearm for a drug and the person who trades a drug for a firearm.

  (d) Conduct constituting the offense of using a firearm while selling or trafficking a regulated drug shall be considered a violent act for the purposes of determining bail. (Added 2011, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 2023, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 30, 2024.)