Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has caved and signed a ban on private on gun sales after running a gubernatorial campaign in which he rejected the need for more gun control.
The legislation banning private gun sales also bans the sale of “high capacity” magazines and bump stocks. And it raises the age for long gun purchases to 21 throughout the state.
The Washington Free Beacon reports that the “high capacity” magazine ban limits rifle magazines to 10 rounds and handgun magazines to 15 rounds.
Scott pointed to a foiled attack on Vermont’s Fair Haven Union High School as justification for placing new gun controls on law-abiding Vermont residents. He did not mention that the alleged 18-year-old, would-be Fair Haven attacker purchased his shotgun at retail, not privately. Moreover, his allegedly plan did not includes bump stocks or “high capacity” magazines.
Scott’s support for gun control comes after he rejected calls for gun control during his gubernatorial campaign. On June 22, 2016, he told Vermont Public Radio, “I don’t believe that we need more gun restrictions in Vermont at this time. I think we should enforce the ones we have. I think we should focus more on safety and gun education, but also addressing the violence problem that is systemic across the country – and I don’t have the answers for that, but that’s what’s driving this frustration, this outrage.”
He added, “It’s alarming, the horrific acts are alarming. But from my standpoint, I don’t believe we need to change our gun laws in Vermont … [A background check requirement on private gun sales] is not something I would support.”
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News, the host of the Breitbart podcast Bullets with AWR Hawkins, and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. Sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.