Vermont Senate Could Soon Vote on Gun Control Bill Aimed at Preventing Suicide

Gun storage laws, waiting periods for gun purchases, and Vermont’s extreme risk protection order statute are all part of a bill aimed at reducing suicides. The bill has undergone some changes and is currently being reviewed by the State Senate Judiciary Committee. While one of the bill’s primary opponents is cautiously optimistic, he is not making any firm predictions. “There’s still plenty of time for shenanigans,” says Chris Bradley, secretary and treasurer of the Vermont State Rifle and Pistol Association.

The bill’s purpose is to prevent death by suicide by reducing access to lethal means of firearms. The bill’s principal sponsor, Democratic State Representative Alyssa Black, did not respond to a request for comment.

The bill has already undergone significant changes. Initially, it required all firearms to be stored separately from ammunition in a locked container or with a lock or other device that renders the firearm inoperable. However, this requirement was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision. That language has been removed from the bill, along with penalties for failure to store a gun safely. The bill would still hold a gun owner accountable for crimes or accidents due to irresponsible storage.

Support for Safe Storage

Chris Bradley and his organization support the safe storage of firearms. “There would be civil actions probably far more severe for anything happening if you don’t store [firearms] safely,” he says. While they still oppose red flag laws, Bradley is glad to see one change in the bill. Current Vermont law requires that extreme risk protection orders be taken before a judge by a state’s attorney or attorney general. The judge could issue an order if it is determined that there is “clear and convincing” evidence. The law also requires the person subject to the order to be notified under due process.

Tougher Standard Set

The bill would have allowed a family or household member to petition the court for a 14-day emergency order that a judge could issue after a “preponderance of the evidence.” The respondent would not have to be notified before t

• Gun storage laws, waiting periods for gun purchases, and Vermont’s extreme risk protection order statute are all part of a bill aimed at reducing suicides.
• The bill has undergone some changes and is currently being reviewed by the State Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Chris Bradley, secretary and treasurer of the Vermont State Rifle and Pistol Association, supports the safe storage of firearms.
• The bill would still hold a gun owner accountable for crimes or accidents due to irresponsible storage.
• The bill would have allowed a family or household member to petition the court for a 14-day emergency order that a judge could issue after a “preponderance of the evidence.”

With three weeks left in this legislative session, it remains to be seen what changes will be made to the bill. Stay tuned for updates.