House committee approves slew of gun restrictions despite flood of opposition from Vermonters

Michael Bielawski/TNR

GUN CONTROL PUSH: Wednesday morning wrapped up the House Judiciary’s time on S.55, which includes universal backgrounds checks, magazine limits and more. The committee approved the bill by a 6-to-5 vote.

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Just days after Vermont’s pro-gun coalition issued a joint complaint to House leaders regarding a lack of accessibility to lawmakers, the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed S.55, which includes a handful of significant restrictions on Second Amendment rights.

Lawmakers approved the bill on a 6-5 mostly party-line vote, with just committee Vice Chair Rep. Charles Conquest, D-Wells River, crossing party lines to join Republicans in voting against the measure. While the underlying bill concerns what to do with police storage of confiscated guns, key amendments include universal background checks for private sales, a limit on magazine capacity to 10 rounds, an age limit of 21 for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks.

A joint letter written this week by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (VTFSC), the Vermont Traditions Coalition (VTC) and Gun Owners of Vermont expressed concerns that opponents of S.55 weren’t getting their calls and emails through to lawmakers at the Statehouse. According to the letter, constituents have repeatedly attempted to contact representatives but the messages aren’t getting delivered in a timely way.

Evan Hughes, vice president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, told True North on Tuesday morning that he spoke with legislators from the Judiciary Committee who had not received the list of phone calls that they usually get on a daily basis. The letter explains the details.

“In talking to the Sergeant at Arms Office, we believe we understand that these ‘Call log sheets’ are theoretically being disseminated to House Judiciary — but we have learned from some members of that committee that they are not seeing these ‘call log sheets’,” it reads.

Later in the day, Rep. Tom Burditt, R-West Rutland, showed True North that he had gotten his copy of the list that morning, but it included calls on it from up to eight days ago. Of the more than 100 calls on the list, all but one urged a no-vote on S.55.

Hughes said were it not for the letter and a visit to the sergeant-at-arms office, the list may still have not been delivered. He added that the whole debacle leaves suspicion and distrust among the coalition’s members.

“They see this as a selection of the people who are opposed to this as being completely cut off from contact with our legislators,” he said. “ … We’ve gotta make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Phone calls were not the only problem regarding communication troubles. There continues to be concern that emails are not being received properly.

“Regarding Email, we have been made aware that some emails from our constituents are apparently being directed to individual legislator’s SPAM folders when ‘SPAM Engines’ are not being used by any of us for contacting Legislators,” the letter reads.

NRA Vermont liaison Darin Goens told True North he also experiences these issues.

“We found out from legislators that, I think somebody looked at their spam folder and he saw they were going there,” he said. “And then we had multiple people check and that proved to be the case.”

He said he had technology people reach out to the Statehouse, any they whitewash the emails, which means they allow them to come through from a certain address. Goens said having that gap in communication was critical timing considering the weight of these new gun-law proposals.

“There was a lot of communication that was missed at a critical time and that’s why we are calling for a public hearing on S.55 to guarantee those gun owners are heard,” he said.

Meanwhile, the coalition would like to see some public hearings on S.55, which originated as a bill to deal with storage of guns. In addition to the current restrictions in the bill, other initiatives originally included in S.55 got spiked before the measure passed out of committee. One such amendment was a ban on semi-automatic “assault rifles,” which failed due to a lack of agreement over the types of guns meant by the term.

Bill Moore, a firearms policy analyst with the Vermont Traditions Coalition, told True North on Tuesday afternoon that he doesn’t think that anything is completely off limits.

“All of the amendments, the gun bans that have been discussed in House Judiciary, as far as we’re concerned, they are still on the table,” he said. “… On the House floor anyone can pick up those pieces that they removed from the bill and propose to amend them back in.”

Moore emphasized that what the coalition is working on now is getting public hearings on S.55. He said this is the most public interest shown on any bill at the Statehouse since civil unions passed in 2000.

Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North Reports. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.

Image courtesy of Michael Bielawski/TNR

53 thoughts on “House committee approves slew of gun restrictions despite flood of opposition from Vermonters

  1. It seems to me that our legislature sees this as an opportunity to jump on the band wagon and pass some laws that they have wanted to for some time now. I wonder how many elected officials were born here or have roots deeper than 20 years?
    Remember in November !

    • I’m remembering now and in November,None of my current representatives are going to receive a vote from me as each and everyone has violated the respective Constitutions as well as their oaths of office.

      Mr. Governor has also not earned my vote as he is as guilty as each of my representatives.

      https://www.vermontgetsstern.org/#

  2. Aside from the issue at hand, has anyone noiced the working conditions in these committee hearings? The tables are a complete mess with all kinds of stuff plastered all over evrey square inch of surface. Little wonder these clowns keep coming up with strange solutions to non problems. Talk about absolute disorganization.

  3. My Letter to Pownal and Woodford representative Bill Botzow

    3/25/18

    Well Bill,
    You went up to Montpelier and performed as expected by selling out your constituents and violating your oath. In light of your across the board affirmative votes for the amended s.55, you have failed utterly to uphold the Constitution of Vermont and The Constitution of the United States. In your arrogance you assumed greater wisdom than our founding fathers, and desecrated the memory of the brave souls who paid the ultimate price to secure our freedom. At this time I must declare no confidence in you as Representative to the Town of Pownal, and I would prefer to see your immediate resignation of the seat offered at this time. Knowing full well that you will not honor that request, please understand that going forward I will be working towards your ouster in the next voting cycle.
    In all sincerity,
    Fred Miller
    Swallow Hill Road
    Pownal:

  4. They are doing nothing to protect the schools with the proposed S.55 bill. The only way to protect the schools is with more security at the schools. The politicians have plenty of security but the schools have very little or none. What makes them think that there lives as politicians are worth more than the children?

    • Yet the weasels are so worried,that they use bussed in children from Ma.,N.Y. and N. H. to march on and vandalize the state house,because they are worried about Vermont’s children.
      These are what Vermont supposedly elected to represent us in Montpelier,the whole lot deserve to be booted from office

      • On the news toady, Delta Airlines “donated” 3 airplanes to take the snowflakes to DC to protest. They said it was “community responsibility”

        Yet Delta would not honor discounts to NRA members. Some community oriented company. One bad outfit, United has also denied NRA members.

        Boycott Delta, the dog killers. Travel with your conscience.

    • “The best way to take control over a people and control them utterly, is to take a little of their freedom at a time, to erode Rights by a thousand tiny and almost imperceptible reductions. In this way, the people will not see those Rights and freedoms being removed until past the point at which these changes cannot be reversed.” – Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

  5. Text of Section 56: Vermont Constitution. Each and every legislator voting for this bill or similar bills violates their oath to defend and not harm the constitutional rights of Vermonters under the pains and penalties of perjury!

    Oaths of Allegiance and Office

    Every officer, whether judicial, executive, or military, in authority under this State, before entering upon the execution of office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation of allegiance to this State, (unless the officer shall produce evidence that the officer has before taken the same) and also the following oath or affirmation of office, except military officers, and such as shall be exempted by the Legislature.

    The Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance

    You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.

    The Oath or Affirmation of Office

    You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully execute the office of ____ for the ____ of ____ and will therein do equal right and justice to all persons, to the best of your judgment and ability, according to law. (If an oath) So help you God. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury

  6. The point was made in a number of different ways at the meeting in Brattleboro that our societal problems are severe, and it is easy see how the state of our culture contributes to violent behavior. Changing our culture to foster more civil and benign behavior is clearly desirable. But such an effort is complex, and how to design and engender the desired change is not clear. Nor is the leadership to create such change apparent. Despite the need and desire for it, it is not on the horizon.

    The role that guns play in our culture is also complex, and has evolved significantly since our country was founded. The fact is the assault rifle is a tool designed expressly for rapid, efficient killing of human beings. The use of such a tool should be restricted, just as dynamite is.

    The empirical evidence regarding the relationship between the availability of guns in different states and countries and deaths by gun in those same states or countries is stark and irrefutable. The more readily guns are available, the more deaths by gun. Conversely, the greater the restrictions on guns, the fewer deaths by gun.

    If we really want to protect our children from the kind of tragic insanities we have been experiencing, we will find a way to restrict access to these efficient killing tools.
    Proof that this works is abundant.

    • @ E Morrow

      “The fact is the assault rifle is a tool designed expressly for rapid, efficient killing of human beings. The use of such a tool should be restricted, just as dynamite is.”

      The term assault rifle was a made up term to be used when Hand Gun Control Inc. wanted to move on from their loosing battle over another made up evil gun,the Saturday Night Special.

      The definition of assault rifle has the capability of full automatic fire,so the rifles in question are function are no different than any semi automatic hunting rifle.

      Definition from Merriam Webster
      Definition of assault rifle. : any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire.

      Thus the AR 15 lacks the capability of full automatic fire only semi automatic fire,so it’s by definition Not a assault rifle/weapon nor weapon of war.

      The media loves to spread disinformation, such as claiming that the AR-15 came from the military’s M-16 instead of the reverse. They falsely call the AR-15, a “weapon of war,” except that in its 58+ year history, the AR-15 has never been used as a weapon of war. Meanwhile, knives have been used as “weapons of war” and every year they kill 5 times more people than all rifles combined.

      A common AR 15 has plastic furniture rather than wood,other than that there are no functional difference other than appearance.

      A common AR 15 is other than appearance is not different than a Remington semi automatic rifle,the function is the same.

      Any firearm is a tool,a inanimate object,that until the end user decides what to use/do with the tool is still just a tool .

    • WHAT!!! Liberals make a simple situation complex. You must drive a car, it’s complex so we should take it away from you. I don’t trust meeting you on the road. A car is a killing tool as well. Your comment is the proof that Lib thinking is prevalent in VT. Hopefully you don’t get your way.

  7. Unless you’re prepared to fight for you rights, you will loose them.
    This is not about guns, it’s about control. They used VT as a test balloon before and it worked. This time it’s all about testing response.
    How far can a loud, assertive, liberal minority push a pro gun, conservative constituency, that’s never had a gun problem, before they’ll do anything more than whine and belly ache.

    • Also, another instance of a government gone wild, tyrannical and dangerous. A legislature that does not listen to it’s citizens, or protect their rights has no future. I’ve already told my state legislator that he could have my guns when I have no more ammo, or I am dead.

  8. If you live in a rural area, as many of us do on vermont, and you ex perience a home lnvasion, you better be able to protect yourself and your family, because even of you call 911 the police may not respond until the next day. Nothing will change in this state unless apathetic Vermonters get out and vote. It is time for a redneck rebellion.

  9. I find it amazing that our socialist government is so hell bent on passing more gun laws that will have zero effect on the law breakers. They don’t follow any laws now and they never will.
    What good is it to make new gun laws? So our legislatures look like they are accomplishing something? It’s a joke. What is this State and Country becoming?
    I’m proud to say that I’m a native Vermonter but ashamed to say that I’m from Vermont.
    These proposed bills are just government taking away more of our rights. If you are not entitled, you do not count.
    I don’t see anything in these bills that is going to improve public safety or our schools. They are not even addressing the problems. They have an agenda and it’s to take away our gun rights. I wonder how many are being paid off by the Bloomberg crowd.
    We need to vote all these power grabbers out of office. A day of reckoning is coming.

  10. These kind of fools, will continue getting elected as long as Vermont continues to allow out of state college students to vote in Vermont and leaving the rest of us to deal with what they have voted for long after they have left the state.

    • You are absolutely correct. The voting rolls in Vermont are filled with people who have no business voting here. Most of the people now in power were voted in by ineligible voters.

  11. From 1945, address by Mortimer R. Proctor, Thursday, January 4, 1945.
    Inaugural Address:
    Members of the General Assembly:This is the 130th Legislature to meet in history of Vermont. https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/48869/ProctorM1945.pdf

    All should do well to copy and send to Montpelier, people of your choice.

    Being a Veteran, Townshed sheeeets on me, note the addressed paragraph, page 2. Perhaps this affects you as well.

    Unbelievable how things have deteriorated.

  12. I certainly don’t see much about school security or safety in any of these bills……

    The events in Maryland this week invalidate the amendments made to S.55.
    But- Hey- It’s all about the agenda…Right?

  13. I have attempted to contact my representative several times, to let him know I didn’t agree with or want these changes.

    No response.

    • I have read many articles wherein people are leaving their respective states being CA, IL and others for civilized common sense states, they have had it. People have moved from VT, either by gov policies, taxation or lack of freedom.

      It all originated with the Libs “finding VT” and wanted to “take VT forward”. I think many remember this slogan. Well VT has been taken “forward”.

      In my mind these people that leave their respective states want freedom. As the Lib movement came to VT, perhaps the Conservative people can find VT and pendulum swing it back to reality. Need outside dominance overriding the entrenched Libs. VT conservatives are a minority. Reading all the comments (of people that have “Moxie”) I have hope.

        • If students can organize, why can’t adults who are sick of what keeps coming out of Montpelier?

      • Tom,
        Freedom is here in Alabama. It may be hot in the summer, but you can shoot your guns in your backyard without complaint. Property is cheap and plentiful, taxes are low. We are proud of our State Legislature because they know where their support comes from, and listen to us. Yes, there are anti-gun legislators here, but they are becoming extinct rapidly, and there is no plan to protect the “species”. We would welcome you.

  14. These so-called Progressives claim to be concerned about public safety. These gun grabbers could care less. What they are really concerned about is the possibility that some day armed Vermonters may rise up against their Stalinist policies. Always remember: Inside every Progressive is a Totalitarian screaming to get out.

  15. I think that these elected people in Montpelier still work for the citizens of Vermont. They seem to have forgotten that fact. Remember in November.

    • @ Homer

      Along that line of thought,
      In case our elected representatives have forgotten their civics classes .

      GOVERNMENT never has any RIGHTS as against the people. Remember, WE THE PEOPLE comprise government, and governmtnt can only govern with the consent of THE PEOPLE.

      Governments have no “rights”. Only people have Rights. Governments have limited powers and authorities. Disarming the general population is not among those powers and authorities. Read the Constitution. Disarming anyone or banning any firearm is simply not in the Constitution. I am surprised that They our representatives are unaware of this.

      The US Constitution plainly declares that the right of THE PEOPLE to keep and bear arms shall not be restricted, limited, narrowed, denied, removed, or in any other way infringed. By any one, any government entity, or anything else. It charges the Federal government with preserving that right against all threats. And every state that has joiend the union agreed to those terms, and thus  They are out of line in their illegal attempt to impose this new infringement on a portion of the population. NONE may infringe.

  16. Some actual common sense in the firearm debate.

    We all want the same things. Safety, security, peace, a sense of community. But rather than actually speak to each other, we all get so caught up in the emotional end of it. Myself included sadly sometimes.

    My fears, and those of millions of other Americans, through the eyes of world history, Is that the legislation being presented is the tip of the iceberg. Once it starts, where will it end? It will not. The solutions being put forth will do nothing to reduce the atrocities that we all hurt from. This is seen all over America where the restrictions are in place. Where the firearm violence incidents are SIGNIFICANTLY increased. It seems illogical to me that it is in any way a reasonable conclusion that it will decrease it.

    My hopes, and those of millions of other Americans, again, through the eyes of history, is that we too, as Americans that will also protect others in our community. I own a firearm, for defence ONLY. Myself, and millions of other Americans own our firearms to protect ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our communities, our Country, and yes, our children most fiercely. While some see the weapons as a threat, others see them as the salvation. Trained, armed, capable citizens have always been a mainstay of what keeps America peaceful and safe. Removing them from the situation will only, again look at the history of it, embolden the criminal elements that are the true threat to our way of life.

    Our children, You really want a solution to the societal ills we currently experience? Here’s one for you. Stop treating children as if they can do no wrong. Stop teaching them there are no consequences for their bad behavior. Stop telling them that they can succeed with no effort. Stop coddling them as if everywhere in the world is their own person safe space.

    Stop allowing them to be babysat by electronic devices while their parents noses are stuck to a screen of yet another electronic device. Stop allowing them to play extremely violent first person shooter games. Stop allowing them to watch any and all videos/movies they feel like watching. Stop desensitizing them to graphic violence.

    Let them fail. Stop with the participation trophy mentality our society has developed! To fail is learn to get back up and DO SOMETHING! Rather than roll into a little snowflake ball and weep until someone comes along to pick you up. Teach them the value of the word no!

    And here, you’ll love this one, spank their butts when they need/deserve it! Stop letting them whine their way out of situations. What the hell do you think is going to happen to them when they reach the real world or get close to it and see that not everyone is a winner. Not everyone can be successful at everything. What a serious disservice our current system of family/education/justice does for these young people! It’s disgraceful! It’s a wonder more don’t snap!

    Teach them personal responsibility. Teach them to own their mistakes and accept the consequences. Then get up, learn from it, and move along all the stronger, wiser, and more mature.

    And stop this gunfree target zone stuff. Oh my God! Who really wants a place with a sign that screams “No consequences target zone”. How is that going to make children feel safe? Knowing there’s no one there to counter a potential threat like school shootings? How terrifying. How helpless must they feel? Knowing that they are targets for anyone who would choose to do them harm. With no chance at defence from anyone. Just run, hide, and die. Pathetic in our modern society! And those who would choose for the rest of us, who are capable of stopping this kind of atrocity, that we are not able to.

    We MUST find a real common sense solution. Not what the media and anti-gun groups call “common sense”. It has 2 major flaws in it’s arguments, 1) that’s it common at all. And 2) that it makes sense. Because it certainly is not a belief held by all Americans, Perhaps a majority of them, perhaps not. But certainly far from any kind of definition of common. And, it certainly doesn’t make sense to me, as well as millions of other Americans.

    In my opinion, my firearm rights, protect all of the other rights. Without one, there will be no others. Rest assured of that. World history shows us this time after time. Just as our 1st Amendment rights guarantee our other rights. And so on. Each an integral part of all that makes America the great Nation it is.

    Comparisons with other countries and their experiences with gun owner control is a disingenuous supposition even on its face. You see, other countries are not America. They do not have, nor have they ever had the rights we are guaranteed. Our nation, the great experiment. We are like no other before, or since. There is nothing to compare. Similarities, of course. The same, never. And while some publications say it has worked some in those other countries, other publications refute that and claim all violent crime has overall increased and firearm homicides have pretty much stay right where it was.

    So whereas some people believe the answer is removing the weapons that for lack of a better term look “militaristic” in nature. Note they only look that way. From a functional perspective, they are no different than other firearms that some people find perfectly acceptable. And fire the same rounds with the same magazine capacity. An illogical comparison to military weapons. So the legislation does not take those types of weapons out of the equation at all. It merely shifts it to something that doesn’t look the same. But is the same. It’s like banning a sports car because you think a minivan is safer for everyone. It “fixes” nothing.

    If we don’t all stop shouting at each other. And really talk, we may well end up in situation where our country once again is shorn apart. It seems now there’s a rather serious rift between urban and rural Vermont. As well as all over America. You can pass all of the laws you want. They remain unconstitutional and unenforceable. I don’t really care what judge or court you can get to say otherwise. For every court that agrees, another will disagree. The compliance rate in those states that have passed these laws is abysmal. The most generous estimates are somewhere around 15%. So all you really manage to do is villainize yet another segment of the population that you don’t agree with.

      • Thank you Michael Deering for about the best essay I’ve read in some time. I am taking the liberty of copying it to sensible email contacts.

      • I agree totally. I am astonished by his learned comment, because I have never seen its like before. Thank you Michael for stating this in a clear and concise way. For the last 45 years, our Country has taken an unsavory turn, and most people became apathetic and let this happen. We are already slaves because of this apathetic population, and times will certainly get much worse because of the apathetic non-voter. They give the Government more power over them for such a false sense of safety that the Government cannot, and will not supply, in exchange for their rights under the Constitution as a whole. They leave their children in the hands of liberal teachers in government schools – not realizing the danger their children’s future is in. Now, we see how fatal that choice is, and how stupid these parents are. My sons were home schooled because I saw what the future would bring 25 years ago. Their scores were based upon merit, not the lowered norms that today’s schools have chosen to make the majority of bad teachers look good. I am ashamed of our Government, and our education system as they exist today.

    • Well said! Decades of Leftist policies – from government, schools, media and institutions of so called higher learning – have actively sought to break down every aspect of society, creating identity politics & division. It’s no wonder we have people with no moral compasses wreaking havoc. For Leftists to address societal ills is to have them denounce the very agenda that has caused those very ills. They will never take responsibility for the consequences of their policies and will only seek to further control EVERY aspect of human life. Americans have, in general, lost appreciation for what liberty really is, allowing it to slip away one piece of legislation at a time.

    • Excellent commentary; common sense, indeed! Most of these kids protesting (and they ARE children, still) are either unaware of or do not understand how the social engineering of the “Promise Project” was instrumental in the commission of the Parkland murders. Had the murderer been committed due to his mental illness, or arrested for committing crimes such as assault and making threats of violence online, he would have been precluded from being able to purchase his guns. I fear these kids are being manipulated and used by those with a larger agenda.

  17. I refuse to relinquish my right to keep and bear arms at a level of sophistication equal to any potential adversary.. Throwing my empty musket at my adversary is not an equal playing field. How come Vermont’s legislature can’t see that?

  18. I’d like to know which one of those clowns will be defining what a semi-automatic assault rifle is. They can’t tell the difference between a muzzle loader and an uzi. I guess if it looks “scary” it’s an assault rifle so the pink ones are safe. Bunch of libtards, go back to where you came from and leave real Vermonters alone.

  19. Civil disobedience works both ways. I refuse to acknowledge any restrictions on the rights passed on to me by my ancestors who fought in every war since (and including) the War for Independence.

  20. Rep Martin LaBonde D-Chittenden 7-1 Introduced Bill S.55 for complete gun control. LaBonde was born in CA, educated in MI and moved to VT 2007. He worked in NJ, Washington DC, VT school boards. Can get much more ultra liberal –His VT gov web site:
    https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2018/24010
    Note all the bills he introduced. He’s not Vt based or have the idealism.

    Also Allison Clarkson D-Windsor that has voted for $318 million in expenditures, another Liberal, from Buffalo NY. Clarkson web site: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2018/27152

    Here’s the link for LaBonde’s S.55 Bill, read it and weep, nine pages
    https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2018/WorkGroups/House%20Judiciary/Bills/S.55/S.55~Erik%20FitzPatrick~Proposed%20Amendment%20from%20Martin%20LaMonde~3-14-2018.pdf

    This makes one wonder just who is mentally sentient enough to place Vermont and it’s people in their hands? They have no reality of what the world or State is in, thanks to their government controlling attitude. I’d respect the life of a slug more.

    Hope the links are included.

    • Sorry this jerks name is LaMonde, my error. I had a HS great teacher in Springfield name Labonte, who I highly respected (when education was education). I still remember his expertise and dedication, loved the guy and after 62 years a guiding principal for me. Guess there’s too many La’s.

    • Lt. Governor Zuckerman Connecticut, Tim Ashe Senate Pro Tem Massachusetts, Martin LaLonde Progressive Burlington Rep. California, Mitzi Johnson speaker of the house New York, Maxine Grad Judiciary chair New York, Phil Baruth senator Chittendon County New York. These are just a few of your legislators, are you seeing the pattern of what’s wrong with Vermont?

  21. There was a time when Americans believed in freedom.

    The US is dying from a million cuts. Part of the reason the USA is a nanny police state now is that whenever there is a problem, the kneejerk reaction in the US is to call for a new law.

    Nanny state laws are not the best solution, however. Nanny state laws lead to more laws, higher fines, and tougher sentences. Thirty years ago, DWI laws were enacted that led to DWI checkpoints and lower DWI levels. Seatbelt laws led to backseat seatbelt laws, childseat laws, and pet seatbelt laws. Car liability insurance laws led to health insurance laws and gun liability laws. Smoking laws that banned smoking in buildings led to laws against smoking in parks and then bans against smoking in entire cities. Sex offender registration laws led to sex offender restriction laws and violent offender registration laws.

    Nanny state laws don’t make us safer, either. Nanny state laws lead people to be careless since they don’t need to have personal responsibility anymore. People don’t need to be careful crossing the street now because drunk-driving has been outlawed and driving while using a cellphone is illegal. People don’t investigate companies or carry out due diligence because businesses must have business licenses now.

    The main point of nanny state laws is not safety. The main purposes of more laws are control and revenue generation for the state.

    Another reason laws are enacted is because corporations give donations to lawmakers to stifle competition or increase sales.

    Many laws are contradictory, too. Some laws say watering lawns is required, while other laws say watering lawns is illegal.

    Many nanny state laws that aim to solve a problem can be fixed by using existing laws. If assault is already illegal, why do we need a new law that outlaws hitting umpires?

    Nanny state laws are not even necessary. If everything was legal would you steal, murder, and use crack cocaine? Aren’t there other ways to solve problems besides calling the police? Couldn’t people educate or talk to people who bother them? Couldn’t people be sued for annoying behavior? Couldn’t people just move away? Even if assault was legal, wouldn’t attackers risk being killed or injured, too? Do people have consciences? Having no laws doesn’t mean actions have no consequences.

    If there is no victim, there is no crime.

    We don’t need thousands of laws when we only need 10.

    Freedom is not just a one way street. You can only have freedom for yourself if you allow others to have it.

    Should swimming pools be banned because they are dangerous? Hammers? Bottles? Rocks? Energy drinks? Pillows?

    Where does it end?

    Control freaks might get angry when a neighbor owns three indoor cats, but what did the neighbor take from them? Why should this be illegal? Is outlawing cats something a free country should do? Doesn’t banning everything sound like the opposite of freedom?

    Instead of getting mad at people who like freedom, why don’t people realize that freedom is a two way street?

    If you allow others to paint their house purple then you can, too.

    If you allow others to own a gun then you can, too.

    If you allow others to swear then you can, too.

    If you allow others to gamble then you can, too.

    Who wants to live in a prison?

    Think. Question everything.

    • The absolutely key sentence in this post:
      “We don’t need thousands of laws when we only need 10.”
      Godless VT is doomed as long as it remains Godless.

  22. This of course is treason in the making and the time for trying to reason with liberals has about run its course.

    Although this is VT, it’s bigger than that and you can bet there’s big, out of state liberal money behind this. My suggestion would be to see if the NRA has legal assistance available and fast.

  23. If i wanted to live in NY, NJ, MA, CT or any other state with unconstitutional gun laws I would But i dont, I was born and raised in VT and purchased my home in VT because of my 2A rights. Thats it, guess ill have to sell and move to NH, or maybe all the liberals and democratic know nothings that moved here from the states they hated so much can move back and i can have my VT the way WE the real vermonters want it.

  24. This is upsetting to say the least. Why the h*** do we vote in as many repubs/conservatives as we can find, and they all bow down to the liberal morons in Montpelier. If I wanted to live under the laws of NY, CT, MA, NJ, and CA, I would move there.
    I suggest we get a massive group to stand outside the ‘halls of Justice’ and raise holy hell. I’ll be da**ed if I will pay any attention to ANY of these bloomburg wet dreams. The old phrase “Molon Labe” comes to mind. I’m afraid it’s going to get real ugly, and real soon.

  25. But nothing to get criminals off the streets? Liberals!!…lol… #aclu is destroying our country! And will continue to do so…sad! Guarantee they didn’t run for office with that agenda… democrites.
    Criminals will always get guns… you’re contributing to black market sales and supporting terrorism and gangs!

  26. Any and all supposed legislator who would vote for S 55 or any gun control bill is willing ready and able to Violate their oath of office,Article 16 & 2 nd. amendment of the respective Constitutions by violating their oaths,think U.S. title 18.

    Any of the legislators who vote for this will not receive a vote from me,up to and including Mr.Governor.

  27. That’s how it’s done in Liberal Montpelier, pass an agenda by hook or by crook !!

    This and other useless bills have been on the table before but were always
    shot down ( No Pun Intended ) as they will not or never will curtail any Criminal
    from doing what they want, they only effect Law Abiding Citizens.

    Oh yeah, I have sent six letters to twenty different Legislators in the past
    four – five weeks, on this issue, I only received two responses from the
    same legislator ( thanks ) and nothing from the Governor pretty disappointing.

    Apparently from what I have seen ” We the People, We just don’t matter ” !!
    Time for Vermonters to hold there Legislators feet to the fire.

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