By KATY SAVAGE
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MONTPELIER, Vt. — Eddie Cutler is one of many calling Gov. Phil Scott a “liar” for going back on a promise.
“We supported him, we met with him a number of times,” said Cutler, who is president of the non-partisan, pro-gun organization, Gun Owners of Vermont, Inc.
“His promise was,” said Cutler, “no gun control.”
Cutler, of Westminster, protested in Montpelier on Wednesday as Scott signed three bills into laws that called for gun restrictions.
One bill allows law enforcement to remove firearms from the scene of a domestic or violent crime, one expands universal background checks and increases the age to buy a firearm to 21, bans bump stocks and bans magazine capacity weapons.
Another bill authorizes the state to petition the court to remove a person’s access to weapons if he or she pose a threat.
Most components of the bills went into effect immediately. The ban on magazines and bump stocks take effect Oc. 1. The ability of law enforcement to remove firearms takes effect Sept. 1.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the bills after the shooting at a Parkland, Florida, school left 17 dead.
The work of legislators was heightened after a gun threat at New Haven Union High School was averted by police shortly after the Florida shooting in February.
There are about 6,200 members of Cutler’s organization. Cutler called the bills “feel good legislation that will not stop any violence at all.”
“The ban on bump stock is stupid,” he said, calling them plastic.
Cutler, who is now retired, said he formerly worked in research and development for a major firearms manufacturer. He restores antique firearms.
While some say the measures are a violation of second amendment rights, some gun owners and hunters have spoken in favor of the bills, saying they don’t take away such rights.
Rep. David Deen, D-Westminster, was one of the legislators who introduced the bill allowing the removal of guns in domestic and violent crimes.
Deen, a gun owner, said he’s long been an advocate for background checks.
Deen said he doesn’t want to take gun rights away.
“I do want to keep them out of the wrong hands and the provisions we passed will do exactly that,” he said.
Some gun rights supporters have called the governor a traitor. Groups on Facebook and other social media have rallied against Scott.
“He did a complete 180,” said Michael Bucci, who runs Bennington Tradition Post in Bennington, Vt., explaining Scott did the opposite of what he promised.
“He is not a man of his word,” said Bucci.
Bucci started collecting donations for a legal defense fund on Wednesday to sue the state.
Bucci called the laws “blatantly unconstitutional.”
“It’s a solution looking for a problem,” he said.
Gun shop owners fear the bills will impact sales.
Green Mountain Carbine owner Mark Savery of Ludlow, Vt. fears losing business to New Hampshire.
“There’s nothing that prevents (shoppers) from traveling outside the state,” he said. “It really only affects the law-abiding citizens,” said Savery of the laws.
Black Op Arms, LLC. co-owner Jon Stone of Claremont, N.H. said business has increased since the talk of Vermont legislation and he expects it to keep increasing, but Stone is concerned gun restrictions in New Hampshire could be forthcoming with Vermont’s laws in place.
“You’ll see a lot of push from Democrats on this side of the river,” he said.
There were gun rallies leading up to the governor’s signing ceremony for the bills in Vermont. This past weekend, hundreds of gun owners rallied in South Burlington, Barre and Bennington. Some rallied using the slogan, “Remember in November.” Some brought guns with them. Some brought signs.
Gov. Scott has said he changed his position on gun control following the New Haven incident. Scott, a gun owner and hunter, said he understood the protestors’ side of view.
“I have a gun safe full of guns,” the governor said, according to the Associated Press. “I’ve been a hunter my entire life, so it’s not as though I don’t understand that perspective.”
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