MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Some Vermonters held an anti-assault weapon rally outside the Statehouse in Montpelier Saturday to get their message across.
Among the people their in support were two State Representatives who are sponsoring two bills to introduce new gun regulations.
"We need boots on the ground to make sure that guns don't get into the hands of criminals and others that would hurt us," State Rep. Linda Waite-Simpson of Chittenden said.
State Rep. Simpson and State Rep. Alison Clarkson of Bennington are pushing bills in the House to introduce new gun laws they hope would create a safer Vermont.
"We've been a leader in so many social issues I think we can be a leader in sensible gun legislation that will not infringe on the rights of gun owners," Waite-Simpson said.
H 124 would prohibit large ammunition clips and make background checks mandatory at gun shows. H 243 would make it illegal to negligently leave a firearm accessible to a child.
Both of these bills next need to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee. The two sponsors are just waiting to find out if they can move even farther than that.
"We'll see. I mean we're working on it you just have to keep shining a light on the issue," Waite-Simpson said.
But a month ago Second Amendment rights advocates also used the Statehouse lawn to shine a light on keeping gun laws the way they are.
"I think violence is the problem. I don't think gun ownership is the problem. I don't think what kinds of guns we can own is the problem," Anthony Commo said January 19th outside the Statehouse
The same place and a month later you can find the exact opposite view on assault weapons.
"I see no need for them to be in the hands of private citizens," Montpelier resident and Vietnam Veteran Brooke Pearson said.
