A House committee has decided not to take up gun control changes to Burlington’s city charter, which means they won’t get a vote in either chamber.
The gun-control changes Burlington voters approved last year would ban guns from any establishment with a liquor license, allow police to seize them after domestic abuse incidents and require firearms to be locked at all times.
Burlington voters passed the changes by a 2-1 margin despite heavy pushback from pro-gun groups. City charter changes must receive legislative approval.
Rep. Donna Sweaney, D-Windsor, chair of the House Committee on Government Operations, said the changes were drafted in a way that would lead to constitutional challenges.
“The constitutional issues that were brought up during testimony were of concern, and the idea that this would all have to go to court,” led her committee to vote 7-1 not to bring the issue before the full House, Sweaney said.
The sole vote in favor of advancing Burlington’s gun-related charter changes was Joanna Cole, D-Burlington.
Burlington City Attorney Eileen Blackwood told the Burlington Free Press after the vote that she believes the changes were drafted in a manner that addressed the constitutional questions raised during testimony before the House panel.