20 V.S.A. § 2308: Statewide model policy prohibiting firearms access by prohibited persons

(a) On or before December 30, 2026, the Department of Public Safety shall direct the Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB) to adopt a statewide model law enforcement policy addressing firearms access by persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms pursuant to relief from abuse orders, extreme risk protection orders, or other legal prohibitions. The policy shall create a legal, safe, and fair process, including necessary forms and delineated roles and responsibilities, for law enforcement agencies interacting with federally licensed firearms dealers that are storing firearms for prohibited persons. The policy shall address the following:

(1) legal removal of firearms from the scene of a domestic violence incident;

(2) steps for inquiry and lawful removal of firearms by law enforcement when serving protective orders;

(3) a process for notifying the plaintiff about service and relinquishment, appropriate handling, and storage of firearms;

(4) procedures for storage of firearms with federally licensed firearms dealers and third parties, including informing the defendant about the option of third-party storage; and

(5) methods of data collection about the number and type of firearms surrendered, including descriptions of the firearms.

(b) On or before June 30, 2027, every state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency shall adopt a model firearms surrender policy that includes each component of the LEAB model. If an agency has not adopted a policy on or before June 30, 2027, the agency shall be deemed to have adopted, and shall follow and enforce, the LEAB model.