Policy:
Adopt a law making it unlawful for a person to manufacture, transfer or possess certain semi-automatic assault weapons.*
Prohibit possession, require relinquishment of, and require law enforcement to remove firearms in the possession or under the control of individuals who are subject to domestic violence relief from abuse orders and those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.
Repeal exceptions to background check requirements (thereby completely closing the “Charleston Loophole”).
Require that a person shall not store or otherwise leave a firearm outside his or her immediate possession or control without having first securely locked the firearm in a safe storage depository or, by use of a tamper-resistant mechanical gun lock or other device appropriate to that weapon, rendered it incapable of being fired.
Repeal legislation (24 V.S.A. § 2295) that prohibits municipalities from effectively regulating firearms and allow them to enact common sense gun violence prevention regulations.
Prohibit the possession of firearms at polling places during the entire 2024 election cycle.
Prohibit the possession of firearms in daycare centers and specific public buildings.
Mandate a permit requirement for all firearm purchases in Vermont.
Funding and financial priorities:
➢ Allocate funds for research on gun violence in Vermont and its causes. Support initiatives to collect and analyze data related to firearm incidents, providing valuable insights for evidence-based policymaking.
➢ Establish a statewide initiative to provide financial subsidies for the purchase of secure storage lockers for firearms. The subsidy program aims to encourage responsible gun ownership by making safe storage options more accessible to all gun owners, regardless of income.
Create a comprehensive tracking system for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued, providing critical data to evaluate the effectiveness of the law. This initiative addresses criticisms claiming our bills are solutions without a problem by offering concrete, data-driven insights into violence prevention.
*The banned weapons should be defined similarly to the definition adopted by NY State (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.02(7), 265.10)