Vermont finally sees sense

[scotinmass 588]

Burlington City Council approves gun ban

Posted: Jan 07, 2013 11:37 PM EST Updated: Jan 08, 2013 9:56 AM EST

By WCAX News

BURLINGTON, Vt. -

A passionate crowd - many in blaze orange - packed City Hall Monday night. Most of whom were there to voice concern and contest the proposed change to the city charter.

"It's not really good to pass feel good legislations," said one gun rights advocate to the city council.

The proposed amendment banning semi-automatic assault weapons and multiple ammunition clips came from Norm Blais, (D-Burlington City Council) in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

"To those people who say we don't need this legislation in Burlington because nothing like this has ever happened here before, well the people of Newtown, Conn. could have said that before Dec. 15th," Blais said.

But at least one crowd member says emotions shouldn't cloud lawmaking judgment.

"I think it's a dangerous course to let emotions get into the driver's seat when writing legislation that could potentially infringe on constitutional rights," said Matt Storer, a member of the public in attendance.

And he wasn't the only one concerned with the Constitution. Applause echoed almost every speaker who mentioned the 2nd amendment.

Renee Robyor, another resident who spoke during public comment added, "This council has failed to recognize the right to keep arms omitting this right from the proposed charter change."

Another common theme among the dozens who addressed the council -- the need not to take away the guns -- but to focus on the mental health of those who may potentially pull a trigger.

Speaking of his training as a school teacher, Morgan Lamphere said, "We have come to understand that better mental health programs for children thru adult services will be the only way to help our society."

Still, Vermont is one of the most lenient states when it comes to gun laws -- some council members say it's better to look at what they can do in the short term like increase school safety, rather than try to challenge state law.

"To pass a law or to send a charter change that's ultimately probably going to do nothing, that Montpelier will not sign off on is a futile exercise," added Paul Decelles, (R-Burlington City Council.)

The amendment passed 10-3, but still has a long way to go before it could possibly go into effect. It must go into committee, eventually be voted on by the public, and then sent before the legislature in Montpelier.

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[spookyturtle 9,465]

Now Gary will probably move.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Now Gary will probably move.

He's already packing.

[scotinmass 588]

Now Gary will probably move.

I hear Alaska is nice this time of year!

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I hear Alaska is nice this time of year!

But Alaska has a higher crime rate.

[scotinmass 588]

But Alaska has a higher crime rate.

Obviously they don't have enough guns.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Obviously they don't have enough guns.

Gary will fix that and bring down the crime rate.

[OriZ 3,157]

That's not called sense and many in Vermont are against it...

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

The proposed amendment banning semi-automatic assault weapons and multiple ammunition clips came from Norm Blais, (D-Burlington City Council) in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

WTH is a semi - automatic assault weapon? And multiple ammunition clips? What's that all about?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That's not called sense and many in Vermont are against it...

It's called "democracy". The wacko extremists have to learn they can't bully the majority of persons living in the US, like they do in places like Israel, or did in South Africa and Iraq.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

WTH is a semi - automatic assault weapon? And multiple ammunition clips? What's that all about?

wonder how many of these assault weapon experts could tell us the difference in a c lip and magazine.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

wonder how many of these assault weapon experts could tell us the difference in a c lip and magazine.

A clip holds something together and a magazine is something you read?

[Teddy B 17,251]

Now Gary will probably move.

Can he afford to move now that he's living on the gov't teet?

[SMR 368]

wonder how many of these assault weapon experts could tell us the difference in a c lip and magazine.

It doesn't matter. All of the limits on high capacity magazines that I have seen are also applied to high capacity weapons. A clip loaded weapon would still be painted with the same brush if it could carry more than 10 rounds.