Posted on 04/12/2018 7:51:19 AM PDT by Simon Green
Among both cheers and jeers, Gov. Phil Scott approved a series of new gun restrictions Wednesday in a public bill signing.
Scott, a Republican who is avowedly a supporter of the Second Amendment, signed bills H.422, S.221, and S.55, into law on the steps of the Statehouse in Montpelier, surrounded by a crowd divided over the issue of gun politics.
The measures would remove guns from those thought to be “at risk” and from those arrested or cited on domestic assault charges as well as place restrictions on magazine capacities, bump stocks and gun sales to those under age 21.
“I support the Second Amendment, but I had to ask myself, ‘are we truly doing everything we can to make our kids and communities safer?'” Scott said. “Because if we’re at a point where our kids are afraid to go to school, and parents are afraid to put them on a bus; or police don’t have the tools they need to protect victims of violence; or families can’t step in to prevent a loved one from taking their own life; then who are we?”
H.422, which lawmakers passed with unanimous support, speeds up removals of firearms from those charged or cited in the state over some domestic violence or abuse accusations.
S.221 adds a mechanism to Vermont law to allow for so-called “extreme risk protection orders” which would allow family members or authorities of a person thought to be a threat to themselves or others to petition the court for an order to seize any guns possessed by the individual pending a hearing.
The most controversial of the three measures, S.55, barely passed the legislature. It will restrict magazine capacity to 15 rounds on handguns and 10 rounds on rifles, ban bump stocks and raise the age to buy guns in Vermont to 21. Magazines already in circulation will be grandfathered while adults 18-to-20 can still purchase rifles and shotguns if they have had military or law enforcement training or have passed a hunter’s education course. There is also a carve-out for Vermont-based gun makers as long as they market their magazines outside of the state.
Feeling betrayed, gun rights advocates labeled Scott, who was A-rated by the NRA in his last election campaign, as “Flip-flop Phil” and even “turncoat” and “traitor” during the bill signing event. Some, dressed in hunter’s safety orange, came complete with toy swords affixed to their back in reference to the Governor’s actions. During his 2016 campaign, Scott repeatedly said he was not in favor of changing any of the state’s gun laws.
“We see beyond the propaganda that attempts to portray any positive aspects of S.55 and see it as being completely ineffectual at its purported purpose of making schools, or anyone else, safer,” said the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. “The only reason to pass ‘we did something’ legislation that virtually all law enforcement indicated was unenforceable and therefore completely ineffective is to create a framework for subsequent laws that will likewise be ineffective and unenforceable, but ever more restrictive.”
On the other side of the coin, Scott’s move was praised by both local and national gun control groups of all stripes.
“Vermont has long had some of the most lax measures on gun safety, but today is more than a step in the right direction – it’s a leap,” said Avery Gardiner, co-president of the Brady Campaign.
Demote him to “FA” ... for Fkg A-hole!
Demote him to “FA” ... for Fkg A-hole!
So we should change the minimum age of enlistment into the military to 21?
We reduced the drinking age to 18. That didn’t work out too well. We reduced the voting age to 18. That didn’t work out too well. Laws designed to be based around important stuff that depends on a developed brain are wise when they set the minimum age at 21. 25 would probably be even better.
But 18 year olds are really good at being soldiers. They are basically made out of rubber and are quite resilient. And they tend to follow orders. A fully equipped adult brain is not required to effectively perform the task.
I agree.
He's just looking at reelection!
What is so magic about attaining 21 years? Do we suddenly become wise and mature on the 21st Birthday? How many mass murderers and serial killers are older than 21? You have to be at least 35 to run for president, why not make that the minimum age to buy a new gun? Or, is age a distraction, an artificial construct so some people can feel good about “doing something “.
“Vermont has long had some of the most lax measures on gun safety”
No Vermont has long had strong protections for the 2nd amendment. Fixed. Now we are letting brain washed kids set the agenda.
Please explain how taking the rights away from the law abiding, keeps anyone safe? How many kids are there in America between the ages of 18 and 21? Now compare that with how many attack schools. this legislation may sound caring, reasonable, and thoughtful, but this is nothing more than another rung toward making it almost impossible to possess an firearm. And the ink won't be dry on those bills before the attack will move to the next level.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
This is why the Republican Party is Dying.
What is so magic about attaining 21 years? Do we suddenly become wise and mature on the 21st Birthday?
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051
A snip:
“The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so.
“In fact, recent research has found that adult and teen brains work differently. Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part. This is the part of the brain that responds to situations with good judgment and an awareness of long-term consequences. Teens process information with the amygdala. This is the emotional part.”
age restriction does not make sense at all. There’s the military, and there’s voting. If you are of age to do those, you are of age to own a gun...period
age restriction does not make sense at all. There’s the military, and there’s voting. If you are of age to do those, you are of age to own a gun...period
[[Scott, a Republican who is avowedly a supporter of the Second Amendment,]]
Actions speak louder than words guvnah- your actions show you are NOT an avowed supporter of 2n’t amendment- don’t piss on us and tell us it’s raining
On Friday, March 9, 2018, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law sweeping gun control legislation. Among other things the new law restricts all firearm purchases to those who are 21 or older, outright bans possession and sale of "bump stocks and creates a mandatory 3 day waiting period on firearm purchases statewide (some exceptions apply such a concealed carry permit holder or police).
What makes all this noteworthy is that Rick Scott had an "A" rating from the NRA and that the legislation could never have passed in the Florida House without the votes of 67 "A" rated Republicans who voted with the Democrats.
Anybody else see a problem here. Coincidentaly, both Governors are named Scott. Both are Republicans and both were supposedly "strong" supporters of the Second Amendment.
The dirty rotten son of a bitch.
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