Vermont is a lost cause to the Republican party.
Between the left over hippies who settled there and the imported socialists from NY and Mass, there’s no hope of switching it back to the Republicans any time soon.
As to gun rights, Bernie Sanders saw that his socialist agenda would never be swallowed by the original Vermonters if he ever proposed changing the gun laws. He wisely supported Vermont’s liberal gun rights and the native Vermonters swallowed his promises of free money from Washington. (never mind that he’s been singing that tune for years and has yet to deliver anything to Vermont).
Office holders in Vermont have a history of job security and seem able to keep their elected positions as long as they want them. Challengers are rarely successful.
It is good that he has not delivered our federal dollars to vermont. I highly doubt VT has a tax base enough to warrant a return of many dollars.