Vermont gun possession bill takes shape

MONTPELIER – With only a few days left before a key deadline, state senators are considering whether Vermont, like the federal government and most other states, should prohibit convicted violent criminals from possessing guns.

This was one piece of a proposal by Senate President Pro Tempore John Campbell and others earlier this year — a measure that fell apart in the Senate Judiciary Committee after controversy over mandatory background checks on private gun sales.

A new, narrower committee bill discussed Wednesday would allow state prosecutors to handle gun cases involving people who have been convicted of crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, unlawful restraint or child sexual exploitation.

Gov. Peter Shumlin has said repeatedly that Vermont needs no new gun laws, and gun rights groups have argued against Campbell's ideas in any form.

When asked about the Senate bill at a news conference Wednesday, Shumlin said, "In terms of whatever happens to that bill, I will worry about it if — I will think about it — if and when it gets to my desk."

Campbell told Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Sears that he wanted to make sure the bill would be ready by the Senate crossover date, "which is what you said you'd do."

Crossover is the midpoint of the session, the deadline for bills to leave House or Senate committees in time to be considered by the other body.

"Senator, you know, crossover is the 13th, and that's Friday," replied Sears, D-Bennington. "And there are bills that probably aren't going to make it. But this one is a high priority. But I can't promise you that we have four votes — three votes. Depends. Let's see."

Sears then rattled off a host of other issues that are "also important," including non-unanimous jury decisions, privacy protections and asset seizure in cases of animal fighting exhibitions.

In an interview after the meeting, Sears said there's plenty of time before Friday to complete the committee's work. Another hearing on the gun-possession bill has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Another gun-related proposal, which might be added to the Senate Judiciary gun bill, would require Vermont courts to contribute to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System with names of people who have been hospitalized for mental illness after being ruled in court to be a danger to themselves or others, and therefore may not possess a gun under federal law.

"We support reporting the names of these very specifically described persons with mental illness to NICS," said Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. She said the committee carefully considered evidence related to mental illness and gun violence before making its recommendation.

Vermonters listed in the federal database could petition to have their names removed after five years outside of state custody.

Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank