The Vermont House of Representatives has given final approval to a slate of new gun restrictions.
The debate on the controversial legislation, called S.55, lasted until nearly 9 p.m. on Tuesday. But the lengthy back and forth did little to change minds — in the end, the outcome of the vote was similar to a preliminary vote on the bill last week.
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Supporters of the legislation, like Moretown Rep. Maxine Grad, say the bill is an important public safety measure.
“S.55 addresses school and community safety by ensuring guns remain in the hands of those who should have them,” Grad said Tuesday.
After 6 hours of debate the Vermont House has given its final approval to gun control legislation by a vote of 89 to 54. The bill expands background checks, bans bump stocks and large capacity magazines and raises the age to buy a gun to 21 #VTpoli
— Bob Kinzel (@VPRKinzel) March 28, 2018
The bill would require background checks for private gun sales, and raise the legal age to purchase a gun to 21. It would also ban the sale or purchase of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, though that provision was amended Tuesday to allow for 15-round magazines for handguns.
Lawmakers also amended the magazine provision to allow for the manufacture of high-capacity magazines, in an attempt to protect jobs at Century Arms, a gun manufacturer in Franklin County.
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Berlin Rep. Patti Lewis says the new restrictions on gun ownership infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Vermonters.
“Vermont does not have a gun problem. S.55 is a perceived solution to a perceived problem,” Lewis said.
The legislation passed by an 89-to-54 margin in the House. The Vermont Senate is expected to hold a vote on the bill later this week.
