Knife Preemption Bill Needs to Be Heard
STATUS: This bill has died. Please help encourage passage next session!
UPDATE (February 1, 2014) – HB 128 introduced by Rep. Brennan to add knives to the existing preemption for firearms needs to be heard. It is in the House Committee on Government Relations. Vermont 72nd biennial session is projected to adjourn May 2nd.
If your representative is a member of the Government Relations Committee, urge them to take action soon and vote yes to move HB 128!
Sweaney of Windsor, Chair
Devereaux of Mount Holly, Ranking Member
Cole of Burlington
Consejo of Sheldon
Higley of Lowell
Hubert of Milton
Lewis of Berlin
Martin of Wolcott
Mook of Bennington
Townsend of South Burlington
Call or email your Vermont state representatives
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Vermont 2013 Knife Regulation Bill Carried Over
UPDATE (June 15, 2013) – Legislation to add knives to Vermont’s existing firearms preemption law will be considered during next year’s legislative session. With the number of bills the legislature has to consider, it is very common for it to take two years or more from introduction to passage.
Vermonters – Be sure you are signed up as a Free Grassroots Supporter to receive any email notices of Call to Action.
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(February 1, 2013) – Rep. Patrick Brennan (R-Chittenden-9-2) of Vermont has introduced a bill to amend Sec. 1 24 V.A.A. Subdivision 2295 to add knives to the existing regulation of firearms and ammunition. HB 128 will prohibit municipalities from enacting any ordinance, resolution, or other enactment relating to the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing, or registration of a knife or knife-making components.
If passed, HB 128 will add knives to firearms, ammunition, hunting, fishing and trapping as activities that the state of Vermont maintains final say over (preemption). See About Statewide Knife Preemption for more information.
Rep. Brennan, as an owner of a convenience store, understands the confusion and problems that are created if customers have to deal with a jungle of differing laws in different parts of their state. Knife owners, sellers, and makers need to know that there are consistent laws and enforcement in the state where they live, work or travel.
While an examination of larger Vermont municipalities, including the capital Montpelier, shows no knife-related ordinances, enacting knife preemption will ensure that the Green Mountain State residents and visitors do no have to be concerned about potential additional restrictions on their ability to make, sell or carry knives.
HB 128 has been referred to the House Committee on Government Relations. If enacted the act would become effective July 1, 2013.
Contact Your Representatives and ask them to support HB 128. The 2013 Vermont legislative session ends May 31, 2013, so don’t procrastinate on asking them to move this bill.
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Vermonters – Be sure you are signed up as a Free Grassroots Supporter to receive any email notices of Call to Action.