Witness tells Government Operations committee Burlington ballot language on firearms is vague; committee will review

Chris Bradley, president and executive director of the Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs, told the Vermont State Senate Government Operations Committee on April 17 that the Burlington charter amendment often described as a “no guns in bars” ballot item is constitutionally vague, conflicts with existing state law and could have broader effects than voters expected.

Bradley told the committee, “Except as otherwise provided by law, no town, city, or incorporated village by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment shall directly regulate hunting, fishing, trapping, or possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing, or registration of . . . firearms,” and argued that Burlington’s November 2024 resolution and ballot wording did not comply with that statute. He said the city’s approach and the later draft amendment “clearly did not cut it” with constitutional concerns and that the…