Continued effort to enact knife preemption in Vermont
(February 11, 2015) – Rep. Patrick Brennan of Colchester (R-Chittenden-9-2) has again introduced a bill to amend Sec. 1 24 V.A.A. Subdivision 2295. HB 165 is identical to his efforts to pass knife preemption in 2013 and 2014. Please contact your state representatives and encourage them to pass this bill. It is an important foundation to improving knife laws and protecting individuals from a myriad of knife laws in their state.
If passed, HB 165 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. HB 165 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 enacted the act would become effective July 1, 2015.
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 165 has been referred to the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources. Contact them NOW to encourage them to move this bill to the House for a vote.
The Vermont legislative session convened on January 1, 2015 and is expected to adjourn on May 9, 2015.
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