PHIL SCOTT

2nd Amendment Stance: STRONG PRO 2A

District: State (gov)

Contest: For Governor (WIN)

Party: Republican

2016 Gun Owners of Vermont Firearm Questionnaire (Click Score to View Responses) Questionnaire Score: 95%

2016: 2nd Amendment Stance, Legislative Action and Voting History: Strong Pro 2A

2014: 2nd Amendment Stance, Legislative Action and Voting History: Scott opposes any new gun laws.

Additional Comments: 2016: Phil attended the August Orange County Gun Owners of Vermont meeting and gave an excellent presentation. Phil is strongly in our corner, and we need to support him in November. 2016: Phil Scott for Vermont Thanks, Erik. Phil's position is clear: He does not support any changes to Vermont's gun laws. Anything you can do to spread the word is greatly appreciated. 2015: Scott says he's outraged by the Colorado Springs massacre, which killed three and injured nine. He refers to it as "an act of some sort of domestic terrorism committed by someone with severe mental health issues." But Scott says it and other recent mass shootings, from South Carolina to Vermont, have not changed his views about his home state's gun laws, which are frequently described as the most permissive in the nation. "No, I still support the Second Amendment, and I don't believe we need to change our gun laws in Vermont," the Berlin Republican says. "But I do think that we need to continue to identify and try to help those with severe mental health issues." 2013: "Subject: Regulation of guns in Vermont Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:04:21 -0400 From: Scott, Phil To: Bonnie DePino Dear Bonnie: Thank you for contacting me to share your views on the regulation of guns in Vermont. I received more correspondence on this issue – from both sides -- than I have on any other matter throughout my three years so far serving as Lieutenant Governor. So it’s clear Vermonters have very strong views on the issue, and I’m glad to hear from you. As you know, a few bills have been introduced in the Vermont Legislature that would put additional restrictions on the purchase and ownership of firearms in Vermont. To date, none of those proposals have advanced, but could still be taken up in the second half of the biennium in 2014. For the record, I support the Constitutionally-protected right of Americans to keep and bear arms. I am deeply troubled by the recent shootings in Aurora, Virginia Tech, and especially Newtown – as are many of you. It can be tempting to draw the conclusion, based on those events, that incidents of gun-related violence are increasing, but data indicates that gun-related homicides have actually declined by 49% since 1993. (See the PEW Research study released May 7, 2013: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/05/07/gun-homicide-rate-down-49-since-1993-peak-public-unaware/ As much as we all want to “do something” to protect innocent people (and particularly children), I don’t believe restricting guns is the answer. After all, many incidents of violence don’t involve guns at all. (I’m thinking of the attack on a Texas community college campus this spring, in which the weapon of choice was a box-cutter, and the Boston Marathon bombing, in which the attackers used fireworks and a pressure-cooker.) It’s not to say guns are not used in senseless acts, and in some ways it might be easier if the answer to stopping violent crime were as simple as banning guns. However, I think the underlying issues are much more complex, and have their roots in our education system, mental health system, entertainment industry, and the multitude of pressures facing families today. I appreciate all of the input I received on this issue, and I encourage you to keep in touch. Phil Scott

Mailing Address: 46 THREE MILE BRIDGE ROAD MIDDLESEX, VT 05602

Phone Number: (802) 279-2266

Send Email to PHIL SCOTT: PHIL@PHILSCOTT.ORG

Click Here for Website

11/12/16: "Scott also reiterated his promise to veto a carbon tax or any bill that expanded gun purchase background checks, a signature issue his opponent, Sue Minter, and a legislative priority for Democrats in the Senate." Source #1

9/21/16: "Where Minter, Scott stand on gun control" "Scott's platform is simple: he thinks Vermont doesn't need any new gun laws. He says he'd veto new gun laws unless they expanded funding for firearm training." Source #2

9/8/2016: VIDEO: Phil Scott is the only candidate for Governor who believes Vermont’s gun laws are okay the way they are. Phil's opponent says it’s her top priority to change them. Support Phil Scott for Governor to defend our rights. Source #3

8/9/2016: Vermont faces two different futures following primary election "Scott, a native Vermonter with lengthy experience in business and government, is advocating for strong economic development, even if it means turning away from costly green power initiatives. He also pledged to defend Vermonters against Democrat-led gun-control initiatives." Source #4

8/4/2016: Phil Scott makes pro-gun stand at veterans hall in Vermont Source #5

7/14/2016: Reporter Alex Apple: Does Vermont need any more gun laws? Scott: I don't believe so. I think we should enforce the laws we have in place right now, but I don't see that we need to change the laws that we have on the books right now. Source #6

6/30/2016: Vermont gubernatorial hopefuls debate energy siting and guns Scott and Lisman were quick to offer strong support for the Second Amendment, affirming that they oppose new restrictions on gun rights. Source #7

6/22/2016: "I don’t believe that we need more gun restrictions in Vermont at this time. I think we should enforce the ones we have. I think we should focus more on safety and gun education, but also addressing the violence problem that is systemic across the country – and I don't have the answers for that, but that's what's driving this frustration, this outrage. And it's alarming, the horrific acts are alarming. But from my standpoint, I don't believe we need to change our gun laws in Vermont ... [A background check requirement on private gun sales] is not something I would support." Source #8

6/13/2016: VT Digger: On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott provided a statement saying he “will always put public safety first and welcome discussions on how to reduce violence.” But Scott said he does not favor new restrictions on guns. “Current gun control laws in Vermont strike an important balance between our rights as American citizens and public safety, and I would not support any further restrictions,” Scott told the Vermont Press Bureau. Source #9

Scott and Brown said they do not support any new gun laws. Source #10

Phil Scott opposes new laws: 'I think we should enforce the laws the way they are.' Source #11

2015: Like all three of his opponents, Scott says he's outraged by the Colorado Springs massacre, which killed three and injured nine. He refers to it as "an act of some sort of domestic terrorism committed by someone with severe mental health issues." But Scott says it and other recent mass shootings, from South Carolina to Vermont, have not changed his views about his home state's gun laws, which are frequently described as the most permissive in the nation. "No, I still support the Second Amendment, and I don't believe we need to change our gun laws in Vermont," the Berlin Republican says. "But I do think that we need to continue to identify and try to help those with severe mental health issues." Source #12

12/10/2015: “I’m not advocating or proposing any changes to Vermont’s gun laws.” “We already have universal background checks. I’ve been through them myself. As a Vermont boy myself, trading one (weapon) off with my neighbor or a family member is a right I think we should have,” Scott continued. “Vermont has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, and I think we are searching for an answer for a problem that doesn’t exist.” Source #13

12/4/2016: Republican candidate Phil Scott, the lieutenant governor, said [he doesn't] support such measures (requiring that those who buy firearms in private sales and at gun shows undergo the same background checks as do those buying such weapons at gun stores). Source #14

Copyright 2016 Gun Owners of Vermont Last Updated: 12/15/2016

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