About 800 people gathered at the Vermont Statehouse on Sunday to talk gun rights. The rally comes as Burlington voters said ‘yes’ to three charter changes that would put restriction on firearms.

Advertisement Hundreds demand end to proposed gun legislation Event speaker: 'Shap Smith can you hear me?' Share Shares Copy Link Copy

More than 800 people gathered at the Vermont Statehouse on Sunday to talk gun rights. The rally comes as Burlington voters said ‘yes’ to three changes to the city’s charter that would put restriction on firearms.On the WPTZ App? Tap here to see the video.The Burlington charter changes would allow police to seize weapons from suspects of domestic violence, require firearms be safely stored and ban guns from any establishment with a liquor license.“We do not need to balance safety and hunting. Right?” said Val Harris of Gun Owners of Vt. “Shap Smith can you hear me?” (Smith is the Vt. Speaker of the House.)"It's not about hunting," Harris said. "It's about our God-given rights to self defense."Those at Sunday’s rally called for an end to the proposed anti-gun legislation.“Burlington City Council just proved that it doesn't matter if it's our constitutional right,” said Amy Alexander. “They're going to find a way to go around it.”“Our rights are the same for every resident in this state, be it Burlington, Barre, Brighton, Brattleboro, Barton. It does not matter,” said Scott Chapman of VT2A. “We are all the same.”Speakers said Queen City leaders have created an artificial problem with firearms.“Is there some epidemic that I haven't heard about about reputable citizens flipping over tables and starting a shootout in the local creperie?” said Paul Dame. “If this is your concern, I have to tell you, 'Become a writer, not a legislator, because you have a wonderful imagination.'”The fear over potential gun legislation is not limited to Burlington. Event leaders pointed to a proposed state law, H.735, would require a fee to store unlawful weapons. The bill is in committee.“We don't want to vote on it,” said Ed Cutler of Gun Owners of Vt. “We don't want hearings on it. We want it buried.”Burlington’s charter changes would need to be approved by the Legislature before becoming law. The body may not take up the issue until 2015.The Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs holds its annual legislative mixer at the Statehouse on Thursday from 4:30-8 p.m.