A couple weeks ago, the Vermont House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on an anti-gun bill that ended with the committee chair gaveling down the waving of the American flag during the proceedings. This public display of support and patriotism was ruled “out of order.” Understandably, veterans in the room were particularly offended, and in the days immediately following the gavel banging, Committee Chair Maxine Grad and others experienced some severe backlash.
As a result, committee work on the bill mysteriously stalled. However, don’t be fooled, anti-gun groups have used this time to feverishly pressure lawmakers to pass this bill by the end of session. Worse yet, the Progressive members are working to make it even more severe by extending the waiting period from 24 hours to 48 or 72 hours and include all firearms, not just handguns. While some committee members may be hiding to avoid this latest embarrassing and offensive flub, we expect them to rip off the Band-Aid very soon and suddenly. There are only a handful of weeks remaining in the 2019 session. It is imperative that every gun owner in the state contact their House members.
Gun owner input has been effective so far this session as the Senate was pushed to amend the bill, and now the House proceedings have temporarily stalled. Again, we expect committee action on S.169 any day. That will be quickly followed by a House floor vote on S.169, so please make sure your voice is heard before it is too late.
Please contact your state Representative and respectfully ask for a “NO” vote on S.169.