The state of Vermont is one of many to employ very few firearm laws or restrictions. Vermont can arguably be considered as the state with the least amount of firearm laws. Even though the state may share similar legislature with other notably less restrictive states, such as no permits to purchase, or the requiring of registration of guns and their owners, the most notable law--or lack thereof--is the fact that under Vermont firearm laws, it not necessary to have a permit to conceal and carry a weapon.
It is an aspect of law that the state of Texas is currently pursuing and attempting to push into the state's legislature as well. It is possible that the most stringent code of firearms law in the state pertains to the fact that all dealers are required to keep records of all sales of new and used handguns.
The records must include the weapon's make, name, and model, as well as the caliber and manufacturer's serial number. The purchaser's information is also included on the record, which includes name, address, occupation, age, height, weight, and even hair and eye color. The records must be kept on file and on location for at least six years and made available to the proper authorities if ever requested.
Possession of a firearm is not contingent to obtaining permits or licenses either. No one under the age of 16 may be in possession of a firearm unless the minor has the permission of a parent or legal guardian. One of the few restrictions imposed by Vermont firearm laws is that no one can be in possession of a zip gun. A zip gun is defined as a homemade firearm or weapon.
These homemade weapons can often be disguised as other objects or hidden within them. Zip guns may commonly be disguised as pens, flashlights, or cell phones. Generally speaking, zip guns are prohibited and considered illegal in the United States. It is interesting that Vermont decided to enact this law in to writing, perhaps because of the fact that open carry and conceal and carry is available in the state with out a permit.
Because there are no restrictions as to what kind of weapon may be carried, the possibility of carrying a zip gun could be considered possible if it was not enacted as illegal by firearm law of Vermont. However, other dangerous firearms such as machine guns or automatic weapons do not have any regulations imposed. The purchase, possession, and selling of machine guns is allowed by Vermont law, as long as the weapon is registered and complies with federal laws.
As mentioned, the carrying of a firearm--open or concealed--is legal in Vermont. The only imposed restrictions upon the carrying of firearms is that an individual may not carry or possess a firearm on school grounds. The only exception to this law is if a firearms is on the grounds for the purpose of education and safety. This also includes court houses as well.
The other provision put in to law is that a loaded shotgun or rifle may not be carried in a vehicle on a public highway. Exempt from this law are law enforcement officers and hunters who may have a physical disability and provided with permit by the fish and game commissioner allowing them to do so.
I think the fed's should stay out of gun control laws and leave it up to the states to regulate. That's just my two cents and I'm sure most here will disagree, but I'd like to see someone explain to me how Vermont having less regulations than Texas results in an extremely small amount of violent crime.
A wealthy, highly-educated citizenry and no large urban areas? Stick Houston into Vermont, and I think your crime statistics might change a bit.
That's my point, states should make their own laws as they seem fit.
that killed the women and children, it weighs about as much as a laptop, 5.5 pounds
This is certainly a tragedy. But, as has been noted, the shooter acquired the weapon from his mother. What new law could have prevented this?
I live in Vermont, which despite being one of the most liberal state in the country (we have as far as I know the only self-proclaimed socialist senator), we ironically have the most lax gun laws.
Maybe it's because were all hippies and just love each other so much.
Vermont Gun Laws | Gun
I know this is going to be very controversial here, but I honestly believe someone at every school should have access to some sort of firearm, be it on them or locked up somewhere in the school.
Sep. 30, 2009 — In a first-of its-kind study, epidemiologists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that, on average, guns did not protect those who possessed them from being shot in an assault. The study estimated that people with a gun were 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault than those not possessing a gun.
[...]
What Penn researchers found was alarming – almost five Philadelphians were shot every day over the course of the study and about 1 of these 5 people died. The research team concluded that, although successful defensive gun uses are possible and do occur each year, the chances of success are low. People should rethink their possession of guns or, at least, understand that regular possession necessitates careful safety countermeasures, write the authors. Suggestions to the contrary, especially for urban residents who may see gun possession as a defense against a dangerous environment should be discussed and thoughtfully reconsidered.
Protection Or Peril? Gun Possession Of Questionable Value In An Assault, Study Finds
What good is a Glock if someone decides to shoot up a school with a semi-automatic rifle?
The idea of my high school principle having a gun would have scared me silly.
Sometimes, like on Friday, I wish I could withdraw from the human race. So very disturbing. Idiots.
"Take That ****** Off The TV, We Wanna Watch Football!": Idiots Respond To NBC Pre-Empting Sunday Night Football
why?
Pretty much just this.Maybe it's because were all hippies and just love each other so much.
solemole said:I want to apologize to mysteriousjen and everyone else here who may have Asperger and/or knows someone else who does.
Say, an everyday stranger who lives in the city as you, probably couldn't tell if someone had Aspergers, bipolar, or whathaveyou... they'll probably just pick up there's something strange about that person, and think nothing more of it.
But I think the idea of stigmatizing people/persons is a general human fallacy. Asperger can get stigmatized, but so can "mental illness." I mean, what do people mean by "mental illness"? People suffering from depression, bipolar, anxiety, phobias, or schizophrenia? Lump them all into the same category?
This is certainly a tragedy. But, as has been noted, the shooter acquired the weapon from his mother. What new law could have prevented this?
I find those suggestions about as logical as suggesting all schools should have their own nuclear missile plan as to deter potential violence.I have to be honest, all these suggestions that the principal/teachers should have been armed sound completely insane to me.