State of Vermont Archives: on Gun Control
Keith Stern:
Supports 2nd Amendment; but some people will commit crimes
I want to make it clear that I stand behind the 2nd Amendment; we have a fundamental right to defend ourselves against those who seek to harm us, to feed our families and as the Second Amendment states "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the
security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." In a free society we must accept that people have free will and sometimes people will commit crimes whether it's using a car, a knife, or a gun.
Source: 2018 VT Gubernatorial campaign website VermontGetsStern.org
Sep 18, 2018
Christine Hallquist:
Ban assault weapons; regulate guns like cars
On gun regulation: Hallquist supports the gun restrictions that were passed by the Legislature and Gov. Scott this year.
She has talked about further regulation, though has said guns are not a top priority issue. "My position on guns is similar to, we should treat it like we treat motor vehicles,"
Hallquist said in an interview before the primary election. Hallquist would also support a ban on so-called "assault weapons." In an early-August debate on Vermont PBS,
Hallquist added a caveat: "I would also support a ban on assault weapons--should the Legislature have the appetite to address that issue."
Source: Burlington Free Press on 2018 Vermont gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2018
Keith Stern:
Vermont won't be Vermont with all this gun legislation
Keith Stern is running for governor because he says the state needs to be saved. "I love Vermont but it's not going to be Vermont much longer," Stern said. "We now have an individual mandate law that's forcing some people to buy health insurance
that they can't afford. We have gun legislation that doesn't do anything to make anybody safer, but they wanted gun legislation for the sake of passing gun legislation. It's issues like that."
Source: Vermont Public Radio on 2018 Vermont gubernatorial race
Aug 10, 2018
Christine Hallquist:
Regulate guns like we regulate automobiles
Vermont's gun culture is thorny even in a Democratic primary. "I would prefer not talking about this issue," Hallquist said. But what is her position? Well, she owns 5 hunting rifles, which she doesn't use because most of them she acquired a long
time ago. "I'm beating around the bush," she said, and after some more explanation, "I'm really beating around the bush." Finally, she confided, "I would support regulating guns like we regulate automobiles, but I really don't want to talk about it."
Source: Politico.com on 2018 Vermont gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2018
Phil Scott:
Enforce existing gun laws; Vermont is no gun trafficker
Q: How would you address illegal gun trafficking in and through Vermont?Phil Scott: Vermont is not a leading gun-exporter state when it comes to gun trafficking.
According to the ATF, only 141 guns were traced back to Vermont in 2014. In contrast, nearly twice as many were traced to New Hampshire, nearly 11 times as many were traced to Massachusetts, and over 55 times as many were traced to New York.
We do very well when it comes to gun trafficking compared to our neighboring states.
I would continue to enforce existing gun laws on the books in Vermont that reduce gun trafficking, including provisions that allow the inspections of in-state gun dealers.
Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial Race
Sep 19, 2016
Sue Minter:
Universal background checks; ban assault weapons
Democrat Sue Minter's call for universal background checks for gun buyers and Republican Phil Scott's call for a halt to building wind turbines on Vermont's mountains are expected to be among the hottest issues in this fall's
campaign for governor of Vermont.Minter also maintains that Vermont is not immune to a national epidemic of gun violence and wants universal background checks on gun buyers and a ban on military-style assault weapons.
Background checks died in the Legislature in 2015 after gun-rights activists packed a Statehouse hearing and lobbied against the change.
Scott maintains Vermont's gun laws are fine the way they are, and points to a low violent crime rate and the state's strong hunting tradition.
Source: Valley News on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial debate
Aug 28, 2016
Sue Minter:
Gun violence has reached a crisis point; more gun safety
Strengthening Gun Safety: Gun violence in the U.S. has reached a crisis point and Vermont is not immune. Women are at particular risk: more than half of domestic violence homicides in Vermont involve a gun. In states that require a background check for
private sales of handguns, 46 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners. I favor common sense approaches to strengthening gun safety while protecting the constitutional right of Vermonters to own guns and respecting our hunting
heritage. Responsible gun ownership is one of our traditions and I will support requiring universal background checks for gun sales, including those that occur at gun shows, flea markets
and private online sales (exempting family sales). The same standards that apply to federally registered firearms dealers should apply to all gun sales.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
Bruce Lisman:
Protect the Vermont Sportsmen's Bill of Rights
Preserve Vermont's existing firearms freedoms: Vermont has a rich tradition of hunting, and a track record of responsible gun ownership. Our state has the lowest violent crime rate per capita and is not a major source of guns moving to other states.
I will protect the Vermont Sportsmen's Bill of Rights which provides uniform statewide regulation of firearm ownership, transfer and transportation and I will protect infringements of Article 16 of Vermont's Constitution (the right to bear arms).
Source: 2016 gubernatorial campaign website, LismanForVermont.com
Mar 6, 2016
David Zuckerman:
Supports background checks, and concealed carry
Q: Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?Yes.
Q: Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes.
Q: Should a license be required for gun possession?
No.
Source: Vote Smart Vermont State 2014 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2014
Scott Milne:
Rated 50% by Gun Owners of Vermont
The Gun Owners of Vermont, Inc. is a non-partisan pro-gun organization, committed to a no-compromise position on firearms ownership rights.
Gun Owners of Vermont's organizational mission is to supply facts to members about pro-gun and anti-gun legislation, legislators? voting records, statements, and to lobby on the state level."
Source: Gun Owners of Vermont ratings on 2016 Vermont Senate race
Nov 1, 2014
Matt Dunne:
Strengthen restrictions on the purchase & possession of guns
Dunne indicated support for the following principles concerning gun issues.
- Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Matt Dunne:
Strengthen enforcement of existing state gun restrictions
Dunne indicates support of the following principles regarding gun issues.-
Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021