I posted this over on another forum last night when I found out:
Straight from the "Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Inc." Facebook page:
"Burlington City Council Passes Resolution to ban Assault Weapons and amended it to include permitting/licensing handguns!
First off, THANK YOU Everybody for showing up! It was standing room only to show your support of sportsmen’s rights!
They passed the resolution 10-3 after extending public comment to one hour with ALL 30 speakers(the max allowed to speak!), members of the public speaking AGAINST it including one State Representative!
We cannot let off now and must continue the protest!
Share the post and get your friends and family involved!
On another note, please send an email to Councilmen Dober, Harnett, and Decelles for voting against this unconstitutional resolution. Also, thank Rep. Kurt Wright for his comment against it too!"
Every single speaker was against the ban, yet it was passed anyway. I was under the impression that's not the way our government works. I heard from a friend that during the speakers talking some council members were texting on their cell phones instead of listening - I guess they had their minds made up well before.
When Fox 44 asked Blias 3 days prior "Do you feel at all that it impinges on the second amendment?", he answered "Well sure it does. I mean but there's no constitutional right that is unfettered or unregulated."
Hopefully it's all smoke and mirrors. They can pass whatever the hell they want, but it won't become law until the state votes on it. Since it would technically go against our state constitution (Article 16 - the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed), hopefully the AG will strike it down where it stands like he did a few years ago with Rutland trying to ban OC\CC. Governor Shumlin doesn't have our back, he stated in an interview that "he believes his job is to not interfere with the cities and towns making local regulations, and he's staying out of the firearm-control debate period and focusing on state financial issues." It's a good thing, and a bad thing if you ask me.
Did I mention last year we had 8 murders total last year state-wide, with 6 of them due to domestic disturbances?
Oh, and there's also various state laws on this:
Vermont Title 24 Sec 2295:
Except as otherwise provided by law, no town, city or incorporated village, by ordinance, resolution or other enactment, shall directly regulate hunting, fishing and trapping or the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing or registration of traps, firearms, ammunition or components of firearms or ammunition. This section shall not limit the powers conferred upon a town, city or incorporated village under section 2291(8) of this title. The provisions of this section shall supersede any inconsistent provisions of a municipal charter.
