NRA turns against Gov. Scott over gun control

The National Rifle Association is calling on gun owners to abandon Gov. Phil Scott after he approved a package of gun-related laws this week.

"This governor in Vermont completely gave a one-finger salute to the Constitution and to gun owners," said Dana Loesch, a national spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, during her NRATV program Thursday.

"He is no friend of firearm owners," Loesch continued, "and I hope that all firearm owners remember this betrayal the next time he’s up for re-election."

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The NRA gave Scott an A rating during his first gubernatorial campaign in 2016, when Scott said he saw no need for new Vermont gun laws. The governor changed his position in February "after deep reflection" after an alleged school shooting plot came to light in Fair Haven, and on Wednesday he signed three gun-related bills into law.

Loesch described Scott's shift as "an attempt to appease the gun-grabbers in his state."

More: In his own words: Gov. Scott on why he signed VT gun bills

The NRA spokeswoman seemed particularly bothered by S.221, a bill that won support from even the most ardent gun-rights lawmakers and passed both the Vermont House and the Vermont Senate unanimously.

The new law sets up a court process from removing weapons from people deemed to be at "extreme risk" of violence or suicide. State's attorneys or the Attorney General's Office may petition a family court judge to require a person to relinquish their firearms for up to six months. In emergency situations, these orders may be granted without the person's knowledge, and would expire after 14 days.

Loesch did not mention the court process set out in the bill, arguing that it would strip people of their firearms "without having their day in court and being able to make a defense for themselves."

Vermont legislators discussed due process concerns while writing S.221 but ultimately settled on language that all senators and representatives could accept.

The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns that people who become subject to an extreme risk protection petition may lack legal representation.

"First, as you know, in family court, defendants are not eligible for public defenders," wrote Chloe White, policy director for the ACLU-Vermont, in testimony submitted to the Legislature in February. "We are concerned that this would adversely affect those who cannot afford an attorney to represent themselves in these proceedings."

Gun-rights advocates have reacted angrily to Scott's decision to sign the bills, and some jeered and shouted during the bill signing ceremony Wednesday.

"I understand I may lose support over the decision to sign these bills today," Scott said, "but those are consequences I am prepared to live with."

Scott will seek re-election for a second term in November. He is facing a challenge from fellow Republican Keith Stern, who has made gun rights a cornerstone of his campaign.

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum.