Mull this over, guys. I like it! I got it from a reliable friend in email. Have not verified it, but thought it was a good idea.
> Vermont State Rep. Fred Maslack has read the Second Amendment
> to the U...S. Constitution, as well as Vermont 's own Constitution
> very
> carefully, and his strict interpretation of these documents is
> popping
> some eyeballs in New England and elsewhere.
>
> Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and
> require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would
> become
> the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about
> unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a
> gun.
>
> Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not
> only
> the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a clear
> mandate
> to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by
> the
> Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force"
> by
> the government as well as criminals. Vermont 's constitution
> states
> explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the
> defense of
> themselves and the State" and those persons who are
> "conscientiously
> scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to "pay such
> equivalent."
> Clearly, says Maslack, Vermonters have a constitutional obligation
> to
> arm themselves, so that they are capable of responding to "any
> situation
> that may arise."
>
> Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be
> required
> to register their name, address, Social Security Number, and
> driver's
> license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government
> interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should
> they
> be asked to do so," Maslack says
>
> Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the
> least
> restrictive laws of any state .. it's currently the only state that
> allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
> This
> combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has
> resulted
> in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation.
>
> " America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within
> the
> system, but too early to shoot the bastards."
>
> This makes sense! There is no reason why gun owners should have to
> pay
> taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own
> guns.
> Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way.
>
> " I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom
> of
> the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power
> than by
> violent and sudden usurpations."
> -James Madison-
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
I would think anyone who is not allowed to own a gun due to criminal behavior is already a burden on society. Why not charge them for being such a pain?
Retroactive? I don't see the need. Just imposing a $500 per year non-ownership tax will boost gun sales through the roof - especially those priced under $500. I think this is just a wonderful idea.
It doesn't have a snowball's chance of ever becoming reality, but it's still a neat thought. I wonder if this guy might run for president?
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
it wont get passed though. just goes to show if everything falls to poop then we have 2 choices to flee. Texas and Vermont. maybe they can start their own union. Texas provideds cattle and oil and Vermont can bring....maple syrup? the real stuff is AMAZING on pancakes!
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The right to bear arms is WAY less ludicrous than the right to arm bears!
Yes i think it would be a good idea,especially if the funds help out the police departments
in that area or others that need monies. But as some said i don't think this has a chance
to pass.
We're the 1st biggest coal provider in the US from what I remember. Got like 3 or 4 strip mines outside Gillette, WY. And if I'm not mistaken a Uranium mine down by Wheatland.
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The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
—Patrick Henry
seems to me like some kind of fascist indoctrination and removal of freedom. what next? government is going to force everyone to own a microwave oven? Hey you! where's your Blender? don't have one? that will be $230 No lawnmower? another $68.42
geddit?
__________________ A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it an appearance of being right-Thomas Paine
seems to me like some kind of fascist indoctrination and removal of freedom. what next? government is going to force everyone to own a microwave oven? Hey you! where's your Blender? don't have one? that will be $230 No lawnmower? another $68.42
geddit?
Not really. I doubt the constitution of Vermont requires citizens to own a blender.
The US Congress is considering a bill that will tax you for NOT OWNING an health insurance policy - is that fascist indoctrination? Its not like that's anywhere in the constitution.
Only problem is this story dates back to 2000. The law was never passed.
well, I was mocking the anti-govt fear that permeates the gun community. I personally think every law abiding citizen should be free to own and carry a gun. however, being fined for not doing so is just as wrong as being forced to do anything else against ones will.
__________________ A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it an appearance of being right-Thomas Paine
I received that the other day from a friend. I just disregarded the whole thing because of the glaringly erroneous "it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit" statement.
well, I was mocking the anti-govt fear that permeates the gun community. I personally think every law abiding citizen should be free to own and carry a gun. however, being fined for not doing so is just as wrong as being forced to do anything else against ones will.
Like pay property taxes? Buy a 1.6 gallon flush toilet? Not sell used toys at garage sales? Open your home for inspection by fish and game officials? A little tax on NOT owning a gun is pretty minor......
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Liberty is for those that claim it.
Teach
