This is an excerpt from the Final Reading of Wednesday, March 11. John Walters is a political columnist for VTDigger.
On the eve of a key vote on gun legislation, a group of Essex High School students visited the Statehouse to lobby on the bill’s behalf. The students, dressed in bright red T-shirts, represented their school’s chapter of Students Demand Action, a national gun-control organization.
“We’ve grown up in the age of lockdowns,” said sophomore Iris Hsiang. “We’ve had drills where we lock the doors, shut off the lights and hide in the corner. Adults would rather have their kids hiding than take action. It’s up to us.”
This isn’t Hsiang’s first experience with activism. Two years ago, in eighth grade, she organized a school walkout as part of a nationwide series of actions following the Parkland shooting. “I thought that would make a difference,” she said, “but it didn’t, so now I’m here.”
The students spent most of the day Wednesday advocating for H.610, a bill pending before the House Judiciary Committee that contains two key provisions: It would close the so-called “Charleston loophole” that allows people to purchase guns after three days even if their background check hasn’t been completed, and would allow courts to order the removal of firearms from the control of any domestic abuser who is under a restraining order.
Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington, a member of House Judiciary, said the measure will get a committee vote either Thursday or Friday.
The group met with House and Senate leaders, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, and lawmakers who represent their own community. Hsiang engaged in a lengthy discussion with Rep. Bob Bancroft, R-Westford, a staunch supporter of gun rights.
“Essex has a great group of youth advocates,” said Rep. Lori Houghton, D-Essex Junction. “This issue has a resonance in our community. It’s kind of personal.”
Hsiang recounted a 2017 “swatting” incident at Essex High, in which a false report of an active shooter was called in to police. “Students were forced to stay in hiding for six hours,” Hsiang said. “It turned out there was no shooter, but they didn’t know that. Many students were traumatized.”
She also cited a fatal shooting at Essex Elementary School in August of 2006, in which a teacher was killed and another person wounded. Hsiang’s older sister started attending the school shortly after that incident, which had a lasting impact on students and staff alike.
It’s a harsh inspiration to activism. But it gives these students a kind of authenticity that makes their testimony compelling — even if you don’t agree with them.
This is an excerpt of Final Reading. For the full rundown of bills in motion at the Statehouse, the daily legislative calendar and interviews with newsmakers, sign up here for the unabridged version delivered straight to your inbox Tuesday through Friday evenings.
