Free rifle magazines handed out by gun rights activists in Vermont

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to show that the magazines were not high-capacity.

MONTPELIER - Gun rights activists gave out free rifle magazines Saturday in Montpelier as Gov. Phil Scott is poised to sign gun-control proposals into law.

"17 senators didn't want to hear anything about unenforceable laws like the mag ban," Chris Bradley, president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, said on Saturday.

Bradley introduced Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, one of 13 legislators who voted on Friday against a package of gun restrictions that passed in the Senate. Saturday's rally on the steps of the Statehouse was a protest against restrictions on gun ownership and a lawsuit fundraiser as 2nd Amendment advocates vowed to take the fight to the court system if Scott signs the bill into law.

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Last week 2,500 students and gun control advocates rallied in support of restrictions, following two weeks of school walkouts.

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Benning, who was in Montpelier for another meeting last Saturday, witnessed the student rally. He took a conciliatory tone as he addressed several thousand gun rights activists.

"You guys are as passionate as the other side was," Benning said. "I know you are going to find this difficult to believe, but some of those folks on the other side are really scared of you."

Safety, Benning said, was the uniter, though each group had different methods of achieving that goal. Benning urged both sides to talk to each other and not yell at each other, while promising that the fight for gun rights had just begun.

"Lets use this as the beginning of the discussion not the end," Benning said, referring to the November election.

After several more speakers Rob Curtis of Williston, the executive editor of Recoil Magazine, a "lifestyle magazine" based in Los Angeles according to its website, began handing out the promised 1,200 30-round polymer magazines that can be used for AR-15 and M4 weapons. The double line of receivers stretched out and down State Street.

The FedEx delivery tracking information shared in Recoil press statement showed a 12 package delivery of approximately 400 pounds was delivered to a residence in Williston on Saturday morning. The magazines are worth between $10 and $20 at online retailers. Curtis said that MAGPUL, a manufacturer and retailer based in Wyoming, helped organized the "Green mountain Airlift" to get ahead of the proposed restrictions.

Vermonters can keep magazines already in circulation, according to the bill.

"I want safe schools," Curtis said. "I don't like kids to be scared. You are more likely to be struck by lightning twice than be involved in a mass shooting in this country. I don't know where this fear is coming from."

The action was also a fundraiser with the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs taking donations high on the steps of the Capitol. Down the stairs, Keith Stern was collecting signatures for a run for governor while a few kids frolicked in the sun and collected packets of magazine with their families.

"My kids have been to the range and they know how to shoot," Andy Roberts said standing with her son Ethan and husband Phillip. Ethan clutched his magazine and shyly admitted he was not yet a hunter.

Mike Gallo of Rutland stood among flags representing United States history including the Green Mountain Boys and the yellow "Don't Tread on Me" flag used during the American Revolution.

"I'm here to support our 2nd Amendment rights. If we don't protect them, we won't have them when we need them," Gallo said.

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Contact Nicole Higgins DeSmet ndesmet@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1845. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHDeSmet.