Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes new restrictions on firearms to prevent suicide.

Highlights:

• Authorizes new mechanisms to reduce suicide in Vermont (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes new restrictions and mechanisms to reduce access to lethal implements (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that 700 people died of gunshots between 2011 and 2020 with 88% of those being self inflicted gunshot wounds (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the suicide rate for Vermont is 6% higher than the national average and suicide amongst men and boys is 50% higher than the average (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that some of the people in greatest risk of death by self-inflicted gunshot wounds were men, persons living in rural areas, persons with a disability, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes that previous extreme risk orders have been successful in preventing suicide (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the eight percent of individuals who died via homicide with a firearm does not properly encompass the crimes committed with firearms in the state and other states and that existing gun laws in the state are not enough (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a person from having a firearm in a place where they know a child or prohibited person resides unless that person keeps the ammunition separate and the firearm locked away (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the states attorney to consider extra charges if the improper storage of a firearm was used in the injury or death of a child (Sec. 2). 

• Requires that gun dealers post certain information related to suicide, domestic abuse, and the crisis and suicide hotline number (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes a 72-hour purchase waiting period for firearms purchases made within the state of Vermont (Sec. 7). 

• Authorizes family and household members to petition the court for temporary gun removal under the state’s “red flag” laws (Sec. 5). 

• Establishes that the act will go into effect by July 1st 2023 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes new restrictions on firearms purchases to prevent suicide.

Highlights:

• Authorizes new mechanisms to reduce suicide in Vermont (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes new restrictions and mechanisms to reduce access to lethal implements (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that 700 people died of gunshots between 2011 and 2020 with 88% of those being self inflicted gunshot wounds (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the suicide rate for Vermont is 6% higher than the national average and suicide amongst men and boys is 50% higher than the average (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that some of the people in greatest risk of death by self-inflicted gunshot wounds were men, persons living in rural areas, persons with a disability, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes that previous extreme risk orders have been successful in preventing suicide (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the eight percent of individuals who died via homicide with a firearm does not properly encompass the crimes committed with firearms in the state and other states and that existing gun laws in the state are not enough (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a person from having a firearm in a place where they know a child or prohibited person resides unless that person keeps the ammunition separate and the firearm locked away (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the states attorney to consider extra charges if the improper storage of a firearm was used in the injury or death of a child (Sec. 2). 

• Requires that gun dealers post certain information related to suicide, domestic abuse, and the crisis and suicide hotline number (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes a 72-hour purchase waiting period for firearms purchases made within the state of Vermont (Sec. 7). 

• Authorizes family and household members to petition the court for temporary gun removal under the state’s “red flag” laws (Sec. 5). 

• Establishes that the act will go into effect by July 1st 2023 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text