Vermont Governor Phil Scott Vetoes Gun Ban, Education Reform Bills

Vermont Governor Phil Scott has pledged to veto a proposed charter change (S.131) that would ban guns in bars in Burlington, the state's largest city. The proposal, which passed the Senate but with insufficient votes to override a veto, was prompted by a fatal shooting near a bar last summer and has seen strong local voter support. However, Gov. Scott argues that the ban would be difficult for bar owners to enforce and is skeptical about its effectiveness in addressing Burlington's safety issues. He also opposes having differing gun laws in one city compared to others in Vermont, emphasizing the importance of uniformity across municipalities. The bill remains under consideration in the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee, but a veto from Gov. Scott could effectively end the legislation. Supporters, including Burlington officials and Senate leadership, view the ban as a common-sense measure to improve safety, while gun rights groups have opposed it.