VT Mayors Coalition calls for Gun Control 2016 (Updated/Corrected E-mail addresses)

The Vermont's Mayor's Coalition, the eight mayors below, gun control statement carrying the gun control campaign of former NYC Mayor Bloomberg is an attachment to this E-mail.   

The mayors of Barre, Montpelier, Burlington and Rutand are members of the Bloomberg's mayors group.  They want NYC gun control laws in spite of the fact that:

*Vermont has the lowest violent crime in the country. FBI

*Vermont has an excellent firearm safety record. VT F&W

*Vermont is not a major source of guns to other states. BATF

If you would like to politely express your opinion about their group's gun control campaign you can contact them by use of the contact info below.  You may want to say: "Vermont does not have a gun problem.  We have a crushing tax burden problem.  We need state & local government to rein in spending and reduce our taxes"

Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon: City Hall Office 802-476-0241,  E-mail: tlauzon@charter.net     Facebook: https:  https://www.facebook.com/thom.lauzon

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger: City Hall Office 802-865-7272, E-mail:  mayor@burlingtonvt.gov  Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiroBTV. 

Montpelier Mayor John Hollar: City Hall Office: 802-793-3176, E-mail: jhollar@montpelier-vt.org

Newport Mayor Paul Monette:  City Hall Office 802-224-5136,   E-mail: paul.monette@newportvermont.org  

Rutland Mayor Chris Louras: City Hall Office 802- 773-1800 ext 211, E-mail: mayorlouras@gmail.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RutlandMayorLouras

St. Albans Mayor Liz Gamache: City Hall Office: 802-524-1500, ext 255,  E-mail: l.gamache@stalbansvermont.com

Vergennes Mayor Bill Benton: City Hall Office: 802-877-3637, E-mail: wdbentonappraisers@gmail.com

Winooski Mayor Seth Leonard: City Hall Office: 802-777-3381, E-mail: sethinwinooski@gmail.com

If you just want to E-mail the mayors, all of their E-mail addresses are down below:

tlauzon@charter.net, mayor@burlingtonvt.gov, jhollar@montpelier-vt.org, paul.monette@newportvermont.org, mayorlouras@gmail.com, l.gamache@stalbansvermont.com,

wdbentonappraisers@gmail.com, sethinwinooski@gmail.com

Vermont's Mayors (REALLY) push for gun control (Expanded Article)

The mayors of Barre, Burlington, Montpelier and Rutland all still members of former NYC Mayor Bloomberg's group "Mayors Against Illegal Guns"

 Anybody hear them distance themselves from their Mayors Against Illegal Guns got caught adding the Boston Bomber Brother killed in a shootout with police as a "victim of "gun violence"

To inflate numbers Mayor Against Illegal Guns added violent criminals who were killed in justifiable homicides in its "victims" ranks.

It happened in Concord, NH and gun rights folks called out the Mayors Against Illegal Guns for this tactic.  

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/bloomberg-group-named-christopher-dorner-other-murder-suspec?utm_term=.afal7W94#.nd29zZM6

If you would like to contact the four mayors to politely relate your thoughts on their gun control agenda their contact info is:

Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon: 802-476-0241 E-mail: manager@barrecity.org  Facebook: https:  https://www.facebook.com/thom.lauzon

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger: 802-865-7272  E-mail: major@burlingtonvt.gov  Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiroBTV.

Montpelier Mayor John Hollar: 802-793-3176 E-mail: jhollar@montpelier-vt.org

Winooski Mayor Seth Leonard: 802-777-3381 E-mail: sethinwinooski@gmail.com

Vermont mayors push for gun control reforms  (Expanded Article)

Posted: Jun 28, 2016 12:01 PM EDTUpdated: Jun 28, 2016 5:31 PM EDT

               

 

BURLINGTON, Vt. -

Vermont's mayors say the state needs universal background checks. They can't take action on their own, so they're hoping lawmakers will. Tuesday afternoon's announcement likely indicates gun reforms will be a topic the candidates on the campaign trail can't avoid this year, as Vermont's city leaders vow to turn up the heat.

Four of Vermont's eight mayors gathered in Burlington to take on one of this year's most controversial topics: gun reforms.

"At this point, we have seen no action from Congress and we have seen very little action by state leaders," said Mayor Miro Weinberger, D-Burlington.

Burlington's mayor expressed frustration that charter changes in Burlington to enact gun reforms in the Queen City have stalled in Montpelier. He also said he would rather the federal government act on gun reform, but in the absence of action in Washington, he and Vermont's seven other mayors are pushing state lawmakers to pass universal background checks.

"Anybody can call somebody up and meet in a parking lot and buy a weapon and avoid a background check and we don't think that makes a whole lot of sense," said Montpelier Mayor John Hollar.

They acknowledged that Vermont often ranks as one of the safest states in the country and also has a strong sportsmen's culture. But they said after a week of discussion they feel universal background checks will keep Vermonters safer.

"We also need to put a stop to the rhetoric about this being a slippery slope every time this issue comes up and recognize that there are common-sense steps that can be taken to make sure that we are protecting people, as well as their rights," said Winooski Mayor Seth Leonard.

But the issue has faced an uphill battle in Montpelier. Last year, a bill that would have required background checks on private gun sales failed to pass and Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont, threatened to veto it. The bill that ultimately passed focused mostly on keeping guns from felons and the mentally ill.

"I think it's been a little less than transparent," said Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon.

Lauzon says he can't get any information on how that new law is working. He says he believes that needs to be a priority. He also says he is committed to holding a multiday forum in Barre on the subject of gun reforms. But he also acknowledged that it will likely trigger heated debate.

"I know there's going to be blowback," said Lauzon.

The mayors said they want to keep gun reforms in the forefront of the campaign debates. We asked the five gubernatorial candidates where they stand.

Republicans Bruce Lisman and Phil Scott do not support new gun control measures.

Democrats Matt Dunne, Peter Galbraith, and Sue Minter all support universal background checks.

Full gubernatorial candidate answers to gun control reform questions (in no particular order):

Sue Minter, Democrat:

1. Do you support any new gun control measures at the state level?

Yes. Sue supports criminal background checks on all gun sales and a ban on military style assault weapons.

2. Would you advocate any if you became governor?

Yes. Sue is the first candidate in this race who stood up for gun safety. As Governor she will advocate for background checks on all gun sales - because we know that background checks work.

Vermont is not immune to gun violence much of the time it happens behind closed doors. In 2013 VT had the eighth highest rate in the country of domestic homicides and the majority of those have relied on a gun.

We know that background checks work - in states that require criminal background checks on all handgun sales 46 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners.

Vermonters can count on Sue to stand up for commonsense gun safety as Governor.

3. If so, which measures would you support?

Sue will support criminal background checks on all gun sales and a ban on military style assault weapons.

Bruce Lisman, Republican:

1. Do you support any new gun control measures at the state level? NO.

2. Would you advocate any if you became governor?  NO.

Phil Scott, Republican:

1. Do you support any new gun control measures at the state level?

No, I think we need to enforce the gun laws we have on the books and focus on gun safety and education. I also think we need to address the underlying issues that drive violence -- particularly mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Our current gun control laws respect our rights as Americans and Vermonters to own guns and it's no coincidence that Vermont has the lowest rate of violent crime in the country.  Many of us grow up learning to respect firearms and pass that knowledge on to our children. 

2. Would you advocate any if you became governor?

No, but I would advocate for ways to address the drivers of violence and make sure that people have access to the comprehensive support services they need, if they feel personal turmoil or are in crisis.  Another way is to continue to focus on reducing substance abuse.  

Peter Galbraith, Democrat:

"I am a gun owner and support the right of citizens to own guns. Military-style assault rifles are not useful for hunting or self-defense. They are designed to kill large numbers of people in a short time, which is why they are the weapon of choice in mass killings. If elected Governor, I will propose a law to ban on the sale of military style assault rifles such as the AR-15 as well as large capacity magazines and armor piercing bullets. I support universal background checks in Vermont. It makes no sense to require background checks for most purchases and then allow those who don't qualify another lawful way to acquire a gun. And, clearly people on the no fly list or are suspected of terrorism should not have guns."

Matt Dunne, Democrat:

"In the wake of a series of heartbreaking events in recent years, I agree with the mayors that we absolutely must take action to prevent future tragedies. My priority is universal background checks to prevent criminals from purchasing guns. This is a real, concrete step we can take in Vermont. I can work with both sides of this very divisive issue to get this done as governor."

Louis Laberge Passed Away

Louis Laberge, a long time Hunter Education Instructor, dedicated firearm instructor and accomplished gunsmith has passed away.

He had long lived in the Charlotte area.  Lou has battled with Parkinson's for quite some time.

Lou will be dearly missed by his family and friends, and all of the hunting and shooting community of Vermont has lost a friend and

strong supporter of the skills and values we hold as important.

A mass will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at 11 A.M. at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Hinesburg: 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?pid=180275133

Photo below from the Vermont State Rifle & Pistol Association (VSRPA) Clinics web site: 

Louis Laberge, Charlotte (left), and Matt Viau, Huntington