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Friday, March 13, 2015

Amended Gun Bill Gains New Momentum in Montpelier

By Kyle Midura
 http://www.wcax.com/story/28481286/amended-gun-bill-gains-new-momentum-in-montpelier
 
MONTPELIER, Vt. - 
 With a looming legislative deadline and crunched for time, members of the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of a proposed gun bill Friday. The vote sets the matter for debate by the full Senate next week, and clears a deadline that could have blocked follow-up consideration in the House.

Sen. Joe Benning says he's not happy with the bill, but he's comfortable with it.

"We've worked very hard to make sure we are attacking the exact problem that is perceived, making sure we don't go a step beyond that," said Benning, R-Caledonia County.

The measure does not include mandatory background checks on all sales, a controversial sticking point in the original proposal. It would require courts to report the names of those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others and those found incompetent to stand trial to the national instant background check database. It also would allow state prosecutors to charge those convicted of violent or drug-related felonies found in possession of a gun, though the new charge would only be a misdemeanor.

"And those are two things that I think are practical things," said Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington County. "Other states have a similar law-- felon in possession-- and I think we struck a proper balance there."

"It's a constantly evolving piece of legislation. This is one stop in the process and it's going to continue forward," said Evan Hughes of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

While the measure does provide those stripped of their Second Amendment rights because of mental health concerns a means to get them back, there's also a waiting period before they can make that appeal, which concerns gun rights advocates.

Lawmakers are still expected to tweak some of the bill's language next week on the floor, but substantial changes are not expected.
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The background check language could still be added back in by the full Senate or House if it lands on representatives' desks. But members of the Judiciary Committee say they'll fight any efforts to do so, and won't bend on the matter in this year, or any other.

The governor has said he does not think the state needs more gun laws but has not threatened a veto.

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