Around New England

Vermont House Passes Bill Limiting Right To Keep and Bear Arms

March 24, 2018

The Vermont House of Representatives has approved gun control legislation in what has been one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation.

The legislation would raise the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21, require universal background checks for purchases, ban bump-fire stocks, and ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, according to Seven Days.

A supporter of the bill, state Representative Valerie Stuart (D-Brattleboro), told a story about a 10th grade girl who was a friend of her daughter’s who had mental health problems and eventually “blew her head off in her basement while her sister and boyfriend were upstairs,” using it as a reason to “get something positive done” about guns, according to Seven Days.

But critics said the measures are unconstitutional, overly burdensome, discriminatory against adults under 21, and ineffective.

“We are passing legislation today that does nothing, because it’s going to make a few people feel good,” said state Representative Patrick Brennan (R-Colchester), according to Seven Days.

The House passed the bill 85-59 on Friday night. The legislation now move over to the Vermont Senate, which has already passed a less sweeping gun control bill.

Observers attribute the apparent coming changes in gun policy in Vermont to the mass-shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida on February 14 and a subsequent near-miss at a school in Fair Haven, Vermont.

The governor, Phil Scott, a Republican, ran as a pro-gun candidate but has said recently that he will sign gun control legislation.