Vermont lawmakers in both chambers advanced two bills Thursday that would facilitate the removal of guns in certain high-risk situations.
The Senate voted unanimously in favor of H.422, which passed the House last year and gives police officers the option of temporarily seizing guns from someone cited for domestic violence. And the House approved S.221, which the Senate unanimously passed in February to allow police to get a court order to remove guns from people who are deemed by a judge to be an “extreme risk” to themselves or others. Lawmakers are expected to give final approval to the bills Friday.
In what will likely be a close vote, the Senate on Friday is also expected to approve S.55, which would mandate universal background checks for gun purchases, raise the purchasing age to 21 and ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. The House passed the bill Tuesday, and Senate Majority Leader Becca Balint (D-Windham) told Seven Days on Thursday afternoon that she anticipates it will pass the Senate, unchanged, on a vote of 16-14 or 17-13.
Gov. Phil Scott has expressed support for all three bills.
It took Democratic leaders in the House and Senate some time to reach agreement about the various gun measures poised for passage. Senators had concerns that H.422 would violate the Fourth Amendment while House members worried that the gun removal process outlined in S.221 would be too onerous. After making slight changes to each bill, the House and Senate appear to have reached a compromise.
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I’m not a big gun guy by any means but, you don’t need new gun laws in the safest state in the country. You need monies for mental health care and school safety.
Foer example – Irene flooded out Waterbury and Shummy replaced it with 48 beds spread out across the state.
No one wants to throw the money at it – admit it.
It’s too bad that Vermont lawmakers in both chambers don’t know anything about the United States and Vermont Constitutions.. I’m beginning to think they haven’t even read them. These liberals are voting on emotions and their way of thinking only. Screw this crap of people saying that the Constitutions and amendments were made for only the muskets.. The 2nd amendment states “A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”
It says Militia which means people. That “WE” have the right to bear arms to protect ourselves and our country. Why is it that we citizens aren’t allowed to protect ower selves, but Leahy, Sanders, Welch and Scott are protected by guns?? Why is it Hollyweirdos and singers bodyguards have guns..??? The government and state government has NO RIGHT to take away our RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS. No Right at All. When these lawmakers took their oath it was to protect our Constitutions and amendments..
Its time for every American to re-read the decoration of independence. It clearly states how we are to act toward tyrannical government. Its time to take our country back. Vote these assholes out ASAP. If not now it will be to late and more of your rights will be taken from you. Wake up America.
I usually don’t like to point out typos or simple spelling errors–they happen, auto correct, etc.–but “decoration of independence” is funny.