Vermont: Committee Approves Burlington Gun Ban

On Friday, April 18, the Vermont Senate Government Operations Committee approved S. 131, a change to the Burlington City Charter that would allow the city to ban firearms in establishments that serve alcohol. Despite warnings from the committee's lawyers that this provision likely does not meet constitutional muster, the committee approved the charter change by a vote of 3-2. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote. NRA members and gun rights supporters are urged to contact their local lawmakers NOW and urge them to oppose S. 131. To contact your Senator, click the TAKE ACTION button below.

S. 131, " An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington relating to the possession of firearms," seeks to amend the Burlington City Charter to prohibit firearms in establishments that serve alcohol.  If passed, this amendment will violate Vermont's preemption laws and disarm law-abiding citizens. This proposed charter amendment is just the latest in a string of attacks by Burlington progressives on Vermont citizens' Second Amendment rights. Recent data shows that over 95% of mass casualty events occur in "gun-free zones," highlighting the fact that such zones empower criminals to target "soft targets" where law-abiding citizens are disarmed. This statistic becomes even more concerning for Burlington, given the city's recent increase in violent crime and lack of police officer staffing. By passing S. 131, Vermont lawmakers would decrease public safety and endanger individuals living in or visiting the Queen City.