Editor’s note: This commentary is by Gary Murdock, of Orwell, who is a cost estimator for a global engineering and construction management firm.
[A]s the latest batch of gun control proposals swirls around the capitol, many are calling for compromise. Many don’t understand why gun owners won’t compromise, or come to the table. The answer to this is simple and direct: there can be no compromise on issues related to constitutional rights and civil liberties. This is not a spending bill. This is not a debate on the size of the state budget, funding formulas or winter road maintenance funding; those are the areas where compromise is appropriate. But for this, there can be no compromise.
So with that said, I would like to remind each and every representative of the oath you took, provided below for your convenience. Read it carefully, and remember that just because we as gun owners may not have voted for you, doesn’t mean that your oath only applies to those that did. When you took an oath to not abridge a right and privilege declared by the state Constitution, it means exactly that. Nothing ambiguous about the language, no gray area to debate, it’s clear as mud. If you are not prepared or willing to respect the rights and privileges declared in the Constitution, something you swore to do, then I assert that you are not fit to represent the people of this state. You do not get to pick and choose the rights you agree with, it’s all or nothing. And we the gun owners of Vermont are also part of the people covered by your oath.
In the event most of you ignore your oath, and this ends up on the governor’s desk, it will be his turn to decide yet again if we suffer a repeat of last year’s events, when he accepted the majority’s failure to uphold their oath, and at the same time broke his own, or if he holds himself and the majority to it through the power of the veto pen.
§ 16. REPRESENTATIVES’ OATHS
The Representatives having met, and chosen their Speaker and Clerk, shall each of them, before they proceed to business, take and subscribe, as well the oath or affirmation of allegiance hereinafter directed (except where they shall produce certificates of their having theretofore taken and subscribed the same) as the following oath or affirmation:
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this Assembly, you will not propose, or assent to, any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to you injurious to the people, nor do nor consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this State; but will, in all things, conduct yourself as a faithful, honest Representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of your judgment and ability.
Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
