While the Firearms Policy Coalition’s (FPC’s) recently released State Freedom Index gave the state of Vermont an 81.2% grade, some lawmakers in the Green Mountain State are trying to push that ranking down significantly.
The legislative session in Vermont is quickly winding down, but that’s not stopping anti-gun lawmakers from trying to pass several serious infringements on the Second Amendment rights of lawful gun owners in the state. According to a legislative alert from the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), anti-gun Democrats in Vermont are pushing two omnibus gun bills in an attempt to pass them before the legislature adjourns.
“Last week, Senate Democrats called an emergency meeting of the Rules Committee to suspend the rules in order to introduce S.329, an omnibus gun bill, to join H.606, which is currently pending before the Senate,” the alert stated.
“Earlier in the session, H.606 was heavily amended to remove many of the problematic sections, which NRA has continued to actively oppose. S.329 is a step backward, contemplating many of the previously removed sections and adding another significant policy change to vastly expand gun-free zones in the state, by prohibiting the otherwise lawful carry of firearms in establishments that hold a liquor license.”
H.606 includes sections expanding the list of “prohibited persons,” banning machine gun conversion devices, banning so-called “rapid fire devices,” and creating an FFL and manufacturer liability public nuisance law that would threaten the firearms industry in the state. The liability section was previously amended out, but NRA-ILA said there are ongoing efforts by anti-gun legislators to re-insert the language.
S.329 includes sections expanding the list of “prohibited persons,” banning machine guns and machine gun conversion devices and placing a complete ban on the carrying of firearms in all establishments that serve alcohol for consumption, which would include bars, restaurants and hotels.
To enable members and other gun owners to let their voices be heard on S.329, NRA has provided a “Take Action” button that interested parties can click to send a prewritten letter to their state senator via email.
“S.329 expands the list of prohibited persons under state law to include those who receive outpatient mental health treatment pursuant to a civil court order,” the letter states. “This is out of step with federal prohibited person statutes and removes core constitutional rights from those who present no immediate threat to themselves or others.”
The letter continues: “S.329 also expands unsecured ‘gun-free zones.’ Criminals simply do not discriminate on the locations they choose to target innocent people because of a government gun-free zone sign. These rules do nothing to enhance public safety and only leave peaceable people defenseless. Painting all locations that serve alcohol as places where reckless conduct would occur conflates the issues; there is simply no evidence to support that assumption.”
