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Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment, from the
Vermont Perspective
October
25, 2009
5 Votes
Vermont has always had a “special take”
on things, and if it weren’t for it being so far-fetched liberal, it is one of
the most beautiful and quaint places where one could say “I could live here”!
But every now and then, something positive flows from Vermont (besides Maple
syrup and Cold Hollow Apple Cider):
Now this is interesting…………………..
Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment to
the U.S. Constitution as well as Vermont’s own Constitution very carefully, and
his strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New
England and elsewhere.
Maslack recently (?) proposed a bill to register
non-gun-owners and require
them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first
state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and
assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.
them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first
state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and
assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.
Maslack read the “militia” phrase of the Second Amendment as not
only
affirming the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a
clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was
advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a
“monopoly of force” by the government as well as criminals.
affirming the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a
clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was
advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a
“monopoly of force” by the government as well as criminals.
Vermont’s constitution states explicitly that “the people have a
right
to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State” and those
persons who “conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms” shall be
required to “pay such equivalent.” Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters
have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves so that they are
capable of responding to “any situation that may arise”.
to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State” and those
persons who “conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms” shall be
required to “pay such equivalent.” Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters
have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves so that they are
capable of responding to “any situation that may arise”.
Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be
required
to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver’s
license number with the state. “There is a legitimate government
interest in knowing who is prepared to defend the state should they be
asked to do so,” Maslack says.
to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and driver’s
license number with the state. “There is a legitimate government
interest in knowing who is prepared to defend the state should they be
asked to do so,” Maslack says.
Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with
the least
restrictive laws of any state – it’s currently the only state that
allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This
combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted
in a crime rate that is the THIRD lowest in the nation.
restrictive laws of any state – it’s currently the only state that
allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This
combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted
in a crime rate that is the THIRD lowest in the nation.
From commenter CornDawg, the links to the 2000 Vermont
Legislative Seesion where these laws were discussed::
http://james4america.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/gun-control-and-the-2nd-amendmont-from-the-vermont-perspective/
h/t BH
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