Last week anti gunners in Vermont introduced a large group of bills that could affect your Second Amendment rights. The list of bills that need to be OPPOSED can be seen below:
H 45 — Prohibits the possession of firearms on premises where alcohol is licensed to be served. This bill would create gun-free zones in many restaurants and bars around the state. It’s already obvious that gun-free zones strip law-abiding citizens of the right to self-defense, but this wrongful legislation has already been tried before.
In 2023, Maryland tried to pass a similar bar and restaurant handgun ban within SB1 – the Gun Safety Act of 2023, but the portions of that bill restricting carry in bars and restaurants was struck down by a Federal Judge the following year. H 45 was read first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary on January 21st.
H 264 — Expands Vermont’s mandatory firearm storage laws. This bill was read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary on February 19th.
H 418 — Imposes an 11% excise tax on licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors on the sale of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. As always, these taxes end up affecting gun owners in form of rising prices at point of sale. This bill was read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means on February 27th.
H 383 — Establishes a voluntary firearms licensing system in Vermont. It includes provisions for exempting a person who has obtained a license from being subject to the 72-hour waiting period upon purchase of a firearm. This bill includes provision for collecting data on finger printing, mental health records, medical records, and other persona data. It is nothing more than a backdoor database and registry on firearm owners and should be opposed. This bill was read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary on February 26th.
H 381 — A semi-automatic firearm ban specifically pertaining to gas-operated firearms. This bill was read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary on February 26th.
Amongst all of the anti-gun bills listed above, there is a sole pro-gun bill that we can report on:
H 150 — Exempts firearms purchased at guns shows from the 72-hour transfer waiting period. While GOA supports this step in the right direction, our position is that this bill should be amended to remove ALL waiting periods on firearm transfers in Vermont. This bill was read first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary on February 6th.
These bills are moving very quickly, so contact your State Representatives immediately in the form above and urge them to OPPOSE these bills.
