Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

Burlington Police Chief Puts New York Politicians Before Vermonters

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Burlington Police Chief Puts New York Politicians Before Vermonters

As H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, comes closer to becoming law, the arguments against the legislation are increasingly strained. There are disingenuous appeals to federalism by those who would happily burden firearms owners under any number of federal gun control schemes. Despite Right-to-Carry permit holders’ sterling record as one of the country’s most law-abiding demographics, lawmakers fear monger about the purported dangers of letting these virtuous Americans exercise their rights in Times Square. 

Perhaps inspired by these efforts, on November 29, Burlington, Vt. Police Chief Brandon del Pozo, - a Brooklyn native, Dartmouth and John F. Kennedy School of Government alumnus, former NYPD deputy inspector, and self-described “political philosopher” - offered the stupidest argument against Right-to-Carry reciprocity to date. According to del Pozo, the legislation would prompt criminals to establish residency in the Green Mountain State so that they may carry throughout the country, ostensibly out of their thoughtful concern for pursuing their violent criminal activities in the most law-abiding manner possible.

The chief’s comments were made at a press conference organized by the anti-gun “Prosecutors Against Gun Violence.” Photos from the event featured del Pozo alongside Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.

Vermont is the original constitutional, or permitless, carry state. Chapter 1 Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution makes clear that “the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State.” Vermont statute only prohibits, carrying a firearm “openly or concealed, with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man.”

Vermonters’ Right-to-Carry without first obtaining government permission was affirmed in the 1903 case of State v. Rosenthal, where a plaintiff challenged a local ordinance that prohibited the carrying of pistols, among other items, within the city without the express approval of the mayor or chief of police. The Vermont Supreme Court determined that the ordinance was “so far as it relates to the carrying of a pistol… inconsistent with and repugnant to the Constitution and the laws of the state” and therefore void. 

How has this liberal carry regime worked for the Green Mountain State? According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting data, in 2016 Vermont was second only to fellow constitutional carry state Maine for the lowest violent crime rate in the nation. The vibrant and responsible gun culture in these states is a living testament to the absurdity of gun control supporters’ core contention that more guns and less restrictive gun control regimes lead to more violence.

As a result of this deep-rooted respect for gun rights, Vermont has never instituted a concealed carry licensing scheme. Anyone who is not prohibited from possessing firearms under Vermont or federal law may exercise their Right-to-Carry regardless of whether they are a resident of the state. The small downside is that Vermont residents cannot currently enjoy the benefits of Right-to-Carry reciprocity with other states by obtaining a Vermont-issued carry permit. Of course, Vermonters may obtain a carry permit issued by another state for purposes of reciprocity.

Vermonters only stand to gain from H.R. 38. Vermont already recognizes the rights of all law—abiding non-residents to carry for self-defense, and the legislation would create the opportunity for Vermonters to be able to carry throughout the country. The politicians and officials from Vermont, other permitless carry states, and states with outright recognition of other permits, that oppose HR. 38 are merely restricting the rights of own constituents with no reasonable justification.

As for the growing list of unreasonable justifications, according to an account from the VTDigger, “del Pozo said it would be relatively easy for people who wish to carry guns across state lines to establish residency in Vermont.” The chief explained, “Imagine you’re a person who has the opportunity to engage in criminal activity by carrying a concealed weapon legally anywhere in the country…Permitless states like Vermont will be exploited to the detriment of public safety of everyone else.”

Set aside for a moment the absurdity of the notion that those intent on using firearms to commit criminal violence would give any thought to complying with the legal rubric established under H.R. 38.

In order to carry in other states under this bill, Vermonters would be required to hold “a valid identification document containing a photograph.” To establish residency sufficient to obtain a Vermont–issued driver’s license or other photo identification card from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, an individual “must provide the Department with two pieces of mail with their current name and street address.”

The current valid street address requirement is stringent. An individual that receives mail at a PO Box must provide one of the following:

Utility bill (must list service address)
Residential property tax bill (with physical location)
Vermont Tax Form LC-142 (Landlord Certificate)
Vermont EBT or Vermont AIM identification card
Homeowners/Renters insurance (policy/proof of claim)

Alternatively, a “parent, legal guardian, homeowner, leaseholder” can attest to an individual’s residency by providing documentation of their residency and submitting a signed affidavit vouching for the applicant. Applicants must apply for a Vermont identification card in-person at the DMV. Further, establishing Vermont residency could impact the legal status, benefits, and services an individual enjoys in the state where they actually reside.

Del Pozo’s suggestion that H.R. 38 will prompt felons to invade the pastoral communities of the Green Mountain State to receive mail at phony street addresses and then wait in line at the DMV so that they might more lawfully wreak criminal havoc throughout the country is laughable. The chief’s behavior is so at odds with the interest of Vermonters that it should prompt some to question whether this flatlander works on behalf of his constituents, or is more concerned with pleasing out-of-state interests, such as his wealthy former master, gun control financier and former-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. At the Kennedy School of Government they call this a principle-agent problem.

TRENDING NOW
Colorado: General Assembly Continues to Follow California's Lead; Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled For Hearing

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Colorado: General Assembly Continues to Follow California's Lead; Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled For Hearing

The Colorado General Assembly continues to follow California's lead when it comes to gun control, this year already pushing for an 11% Excise tax on firearms/ammunition and now pursuing a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic ...

Wisconsin: Legislation Updating the Definition of Muzzloader Signed by Governor Evers

Friday, March 15, 2024

Wisconsin: Legislation Updating the Definition of Muzzloader Signed by Governor Evers

Yesterday, the governor signed Wisconsin Act 116, formally Senate Bill 587, into law. This legislation establishes a new definition for “muzzleloaders” that would allow for the use of innovative technological advancements that could benefit sportsmen, ...

Maine: NRA Fires Back Against Gun Grabbers

Friday, March 15, 2024

Maine: NRA Fires Back Against Gun Grabbers

For months, anti-gun politicians and gun-grabbing groups have been running wild in Augusta, spreading misinformation about firearms in a desperate attempt to pass the most extreme gun-control in the country. The proposals carry the same theme, ...

Delaware: Senate Passes Maryland-Style Permit to Purchase Scheme

Friday, March 15, 2024

Delaware: Senate Passes Maryland-Style Permit to Purchase Scheme

Last night, the Delaware Senate passed Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) by a vote of 15 to 6. This extreme legislation will impose a Maryland-style “handgun qualified purchase card” and a handgun transfer ...

Virginia: More than a Dozen Anti-Gun Bills Sent to the Governor!

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Virginia: More than a Dozen Anti-Gun Bills Sent to the Governor!

The newly elected Virginia General Assembly has prioritized restricting law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights and has made good on that priority this session. This year, dozens of anti-gun bills have been considered in both chambers ...

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced in General Assembly

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced in General Assembly

Anti-Gun extremist State Reps. Tim Hernandez (D-04) and Elisabeth Epps (D-06) introduced House Bill 24-1292, a bill banning the manufacturing, importing, purchasing, selling, offering to sell, or transferring ownership of so called “assault weapons”. 

Washington Post’s Somewhat Pro-Gun Column Inadvertently Exposes Problem with Mandatory Storage Laws

News  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Washington Post’s Somewhat Pro-Gun Column Inadvertently Exposes Problem with Mandatory Storage Laws

We generally don’t expect to see the Washington Post say anything positive about firearms or law-abiding gun owners, although there are occasional Op-Eds from pro-Second Amendment lawmakers, unbiased researchers and Constitutional scholars, and the like.

Appropriations Bill Passes with Language Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

News  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Appropriations Bill Passes with Language Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

Last week, Congress approved a package of legislation to fund various government agencies that corrects a longstanding and shameful practice that had been depriving American veterans of their Second Amendment rights since 1998.

Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes Committee and Hearings Postponed Due to Weather

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes Committee and Hearings Postponed Due to Weather

Today, HB 24-1348 which mandates how firearms must be stored in unattended vehicles, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is now eligible for a final vote on the House Floor. Please contact your lawmakers by using the ...

Utah: Governor Cox Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Utah: Governor Cox Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners!

Today, Governor Spencer Cox signed HB 406, legislation that provides important financial privacy protections for gun owners when purchasing firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. The NRA would like to thank Governor Cox for signing this ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.