The Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs was founded in 1875
and is an organization of many clubs with ranks full of responsible citizens.
We take gun safety very seriously, which is why the federation's
clubs invest so much in the training of shooters/hunters, development of safe
ranges, the training of firearm course instructors and range safety officers.
Earlier this week it has been reported that several members of the legislature will be introducing legislation to regulate firearms. Since we are not able to read a bill that has specific language, it is difficult to develop a position on a non-existent bill.
The Federation however has long opposed laws which needlessly
restrict the responsible use and ownership of firearms by peaceful citizens.
Such gun control laws do not deter crime and only serve to slander the good
character of the vast majority of gun owners, who are by far, responsible
citizens.
The Federation does not engage in the legislative or regulatory process in a hasty manner. We believe that laws should not be enacted based upon emotion or public relations campaigns. Instead, legislation must be based upon sound public policy and comply with the state and federal constitutions. In taking our position on the publically described legislation, we must take into consideration that Vermont is:
- · Constantly one of the very lowest crime rate states
- · Constantly has one of the very best gun safety records
- · Is not a major source of guns to other states with BATFE data proving this
The proposed gun control laws, as described, are a solution in
search of a problem.
Therefore, we hold that the proposed legislation, as publically
described by the gun control organization, must and will be strenuously
opposed.
Once the discussed bill has been introduced the federation will continue its long standing practice of bringing our knowledge, expertise and decades of experience available on proposed legislation involving firearms.
Llewelyn "Evan" Hughes, Vice-President of the
VTFSC
.jpg)
