Vermont Lawmakers Urged to Adopt a New ‘Gun-Free Zone’

Vermont lawmakers have been steadily imposing new restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms over the last few years, and while anti-gunners haven’t tried to undo the state’s longstanding permitless carry law, this year they’re hoping to create a new “gun-free zone” in state statute.

This week members of the Burlington City Council and several bar and restaurant owners descended on the state capitol to urge legislators to adopt H 45, a bill that would prohibit lawful concealed carry in places where alcohol is served, with violators facing up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Proponents argue that mixing firearms and alcohol is dangerous. T. Ruggs Tavern owner Mike Dunn stated, “Sometimes, conflict arises — that’s just how alcohol works. There’s no reason for firearms to enter that equation.” Sen. Phil Baruth (D/P, Chittenden County) added, “This is a simple proposition to separate guns and alcohol in bars, which nearly 90% of Burlington voters supported.

Burlington City Councilor Becca Brown McKnight emphasized rare unanimity on the issue, saying, “We Burlingtonians are an opinionated bunch, and it’s rare for us to agree on a safety issue. But this is one of those times.”

And here’s the good news for those Burlingtonians: any bar owner that wants to prohibit concealed carry on the premises is already free to do so. If Mike Dunn wants to make his establishment a “gun-free zone” (at least in name), all he has to do is post the appropriate signage and he can have any armed patron removed from the premises. 

I agree that guns and drinking don’t mix, but not everyone in a bar or restaurant is pounding back shots. I’m most always the designated driver when I’m out with friends who are imbibing, so why shouldn’t I be able to keep my gun on me instead of having to leave behind in my car, especially if the owner of the bar or restaurant doesn’t have a problem with patrons exercising their Second Amendment rights? 

Opposition came from organizations like Gun Owners of Vermont and the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, which raised concerns about Second Amendment infringements. Eric Davis, President of Gun Owners of Vermont, argued, “Setting up roadblocks to the right of self-defense is an infringement.”

Chris Bradley of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs called the charter change unconstitutional, emphasizing that the ability to carry concealed serves as a deterrent to crime.

Instead of more narrow legislation that would make it a criminal offense to carry a gun while intoxicated, which would address the objections of those Burlingtonians concerned about mixing guns and alcohol, H 45 would create a brand new “gun-free zone” stopping sober-minded individuals from exercising their right to carry… and to act in defense of self or others if need be. 

The one bit of good news is that H 45 has been parked in the House Judiciary Committee since it was introduced in mid-January, and has yet to receive a hearing. The deadline for bills to pass out of commitee was March 19th, so lawmakers would have to get creative to bring H 45 forward at this point. But Vermont’s legislative session doesn’t end until late May, so there’s still plenty of time for lawmakers engage in some parliamentary maneuvers like substituting or amending H 45’s language into a bill that has cleared a committee. And with Burlington city officials and some bar owners still lobbying for the measure, gun owners in the state can’t just assume that the legislation is dead for the year. With supporters of H 45 still squawking, 2A advocates need to make sure their House members are hearing from them too.