The Vermont Senate passed a bill Friday that would both raise the legal age for purchasing guns from 16 to 21 and mandate universal background checks.
Debate focused on raising the legal age; the Senate had given preliminary approval to universal background checks on Thursday.
The age-limit proposal came from Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) and 15 cosponsors, effectively guaranteeing its passage in the 30-member Senate.
On the Senate floor, Ashe said the goal behind that proposal was to keep young people from impulsively harming themselves or others.
In response to concerns raised by Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick Sears (D-Bennington), Ashe said the bill was written not to limit the borrowing or gifting of firearms. It also wouldn’t impact hunting traditions, he said.
The legislation includes exceptions for members of the military and law enforcement officers who are purchasing guns for their official duties.
Sen. John Rodgers (D-Essex/Orleans) opposed both universal background checks and raising the purchasing age. The government recognizes the maturity of people who are 18 by allowing them to vote and join the military, he said.
“I have a son in the Navy who is into guns and hunting,” Rodgers said. “And what you’re saying is, when he comes home off-duty and he’s under 21, he can’t purchase a firearm for hunting or personal protection or anything else.”
Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia) also opposed both measures. He recalled attending protests during the Vietnam War in which young people rejected the notion that they could be drafted at 18 but couldn’t vote until age 21.
“This is counter to what my generation fought for,” Benning said after the vote, “and counter to what my oath of office requires me to protect.”
Ashe’s amendment to raise the legal age to purchase firearms passed by a vote of 21 to 9. The underlying legislation, which also included the universal background check amendment, passed on a tighter vote of 17 to 13.
The House has not yet taken up legislation to raise the gun-purchasing age or to mandate universal background checks. On Friday, the House gave final approval to a bill that would allow police to confiscate guns at the scene of a domestic violence arrest and create a process that allows police to take guns away from people whom a judge deems an “extreme risk.”
Many House Republicans opposed that bill, saying that confiscating guns before a court is involved violates Vermonters’ rights to due process.
A flurry of activity on gun legislation began two weeks ago after authorities said they had foiled a teen’s plot to shoot Fair Haven Union High School students. The teen’s arrest came to light just two days after a gunman shot and killed 17 people in a high school in Parkland, Fla.
Gov. Phil Scott, who had previously considered the state’s gun laws adequate, called for gun control bills and school safety measures.
Disclosure: Tim Ashe is the domestic partner of Seven Days publisher and coeditor Paula Routly. Find our conflict-of-interest policy here: sevendaysvt.com/disclosure.
Correction, March 3, 2018: A previous version of this story erroneously reported that the Fourth Amendment guarantees Americans’ rights to due process. The “due process” clauses are in the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments to the Constitution.
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George Washington exhortation to young soldiers in the Continental Army: Okay you younger troops, be sure to ask your parents if you can borrow their musket or ask Santa for a new musket for Christmas so you can help us adults fight those pesky redcoats?! Senator Tim Ashe doesnt think youre old enough to buy em for yourself because you might shoot your eye out.
2nd Amendment as revised by arrogant gosh I feel good about me peacocks Sears and Ashe: The right of the people to loan and gift firearms in support of a militia shall not be infringed. However, keeping and bearing firearms, unless you are putting your life on the line in the military to protect the lives of preening peacocks like Senators Sears and Ashe, will be denied to anyone under 21. Looks like Sears and Ashe created a loophole to limit a basic right, or, is it an Ashe hole?
There’s no Fourth Amendment right to Due Process. Talk to someone who knows what’s in the Constitution before you print stuff about the Constitution.
On the Senate floor, Ashe said the goal behind that proposal was to keep young people from impulsively harming themselves or others.
~ Because older people dont do that!
Your behavior with the censorship is despicable Andrea. What I posted about other countries where guns have been banned warning us about how violent crime there has skyrocketed is completely relevant. The blatant bias of the staff at SevenDays is all too clear. You don’t like links, I posted the titles of the videos, you delete those too. When others who walk along with your agenda write about how things are much safer in Australia since their government confiscated their guns, you don’t consider that irrelevant. But when I make it known there is a video out there where Australian citizens and even cops are stating that violent crime is now out of control and people are defenseless, it’s not relevant, in your opinion. When someone considers their position so weak that it can’t withstand debate, the truth is clear.
You’re welcome to post on-topic comments, Freedom. Here are our guidelines as a refresher: 7dvt.co/comment-guidelines
Only the opinions that SevenDays approves of I guess.
And you’ve further deleted posts that didn’t have links. What an absolute disgrace.
Hey Freedom – we removed your comments because they were links unrelated to the Vermont Senate’s vote. You’re welcome to post your thoughts on the decision here, however.
Seven Days practicing censorship now. Don’t want anything contrary to your agenda being published?