Republican Gov. Phil Scott of Vermont has allowed a bill banning unserialized “ghost guns” to take effect without his signature.
In a letter to lawmakers, Scott explained, “As a public safety measure, I agree firearms should be serialized, which is why I’m allowing this bill to become law despite some concerns about its practicality and impact.
“Over the last decade,” he continued, “as anti-policing policies increased and criminal accountability has steadily decreased, violent crime has grown in Vermont. This is why I believe we should instead focus on measures that will reverse these trends over those, like S.209, that are unlikely to have any measurable impact on violent crime.
“In addition to my concerns about this bill’s effectiveness,” Scott added, “I would have preferred the Legislature not criminalize mere possession when there is no evidence of criminal intent. I also strongly believe the Legislature should reinstate the gun show exemption to the 3-day waiting period, which was supported by the Senate this session, and I hope the Legislature will revisit this next session. The 3-day waiting period was enacted to prevent individuals from impulsively purchasing a weapon to take their own life, and the evidence does not support that these types of purchases would happen at a gun show.”
The Vermont Digger is reporting the measure will not prohibit firearms built by home gunsmiths, “but it does require” Vermont residents who have unserialized guns to take them to a licensed firearms dealer so a serial number can be inscribed, and a background check can be conducted.
The bill, S. 209, was opposed by gun owners and the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.
ABC News noted now Vermont, while being a politically liberal state, has a strong history of gun ownership and hunting. The legislation includes penalties, including imprisonment for committing a violent crime while armed with such a firearm.
Last year, according to WCAX News, the state logged a total of 27 homicides in 24 incidents. More than half involved firearms, the report noted. Vermont is the original “constitutional carry” state where no license or permit is required to carry a firearm outside of one’s home. There are now 29 states with that provision.
While 27 slayings for an entire state might seem a remarkably low number, in 2018 Vermont logged only 11 murders, WCAX noted. Yet, according to Gov. Scott’s letter, violent crime in the state has increased. Last year’s killings more than doubled the number from five years before.
