Vermont’s Senate Judiciary Committee just greenlit a gun control package on a razor-thin 3-2 vote, paving the way for a floor debate that could expand gun-free zones across the Green Mountain State. This isn’t some minor tweak—it’s a direct assault on law-abiding gun owners’ rights, building on the state’s already aggressive post-2018 expansions like universal background checks and red flag laws. The bill targets more public spaces, from schools (already no-go zones) to potentially libraries, parks, and government buildings, under the guise of public safety. But let’s call it what it is: a blueprint for rendering everyday Vermonters defenseless in places where criminals don’t follow signs anyway.
Digging deeper, this move reeks of the same failed playbook that’s turned gun-free into mass-shooting magnets nationwide—think Parkland, Uvalde, and Sutherland Springs, where compliant citizens were sitting ducks. Vermont’s rural character makes this especially tone-deaf; with one of the highest gun ownership rates in the Northeast (around 50% of households), hunters, farmers, and self-defense advocates rely on carry rights to navigate bear country and isolated roads. The 3-2 split screams internal GOP fractures or Democrat dominance, signaling that even in a live free or die neighbor like New Hampshire, progressive creep is real. Pro-2A warriors like Guns Save Life and the NRA-ILA are already mobilizing, but this floor vote could hit as early as next week—time for Vermonters to flood the capitol with calls and pack the galleries.
The implications for the broader 2A community? A stark warning: incrementalism is the enemy. If Vermont falls, expect copycat bills in blue-leaning New England states, chipping away at shall-issue carry reciprocity and constitutional carry gains. This isn’t just about one bill; it’s a test of resolve post-Bruen, where SCOTUS affirmed carry as a right, not a privilege. 2A supporters, rally your state reps, donate to local arms like GOA Vermont, and remember: complacency turned safe spaces into kill zones. Stand firm, or watch the gun-free noose tighten.
