2018 Gun Owners of Vermont Candidate Report
PETER WELCH
2nd Amendment Stance: EXTREMELY ANTI-GUN
District: National (H)
Contest: Representative to Congress
Party: Democratic

Additional Comments: June 4, 2015

Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about efforts in Congress to prevent gun violence. I appreciate hearing from you.

In Vermont, we have a long tradition of responsible gun use and we are fortunate not to have experienced widespread gun violence. Parents teach their children proper use of firearms. Families hunt together. And children learn about wildlife and the environment as they walk in the woods appreciating the wonder of Vermont's natural terrain. We can preserve this tradition while also taking meaningful steps to reduce gun violence.

Recent tragedies point to the need for a serious national conversation on gun violence. There should be no conflict between protecting innocent children from slaughter and preserving the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens. It is time for America to reach a long overdue consensus on practical steps to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

Common sense changes should be part of the solution, including restrictions on the sale of assault weapons, limits on high capacity magazines, and closing the gun show loophole. We should also find ways to address the gruesome violence on display to our children every day through television, movies and video games. And finally, we must, even in an era of fiscal restraint, improve mental health services at the local level.

Be assured I will keep your thoughts in mind during House deliberations.

Sincerely,
PETER WELCH
Member of Congress

Mailing Address:
PO BOX 1682
BURLINGTON, VT 05402
Phone Number: (802) 264-9069
Send Email to PETER WELCH: INFO@WELCHFORCONGRESS.COM
Click Here for Website

12/6/17: Welch Opposes Bill Easing 'Concealed Carry' Regulations
Source #1
10/11/17: Welch Says Congress Dodging Debate On Guns
Source #2
10/4/17: Rep. Welch: Congress Should Pass 'Common Sense' Gun Laws
Source #3
10/3/17: Congressman Peter Welch: “I know I join all Vermonters in reacting with horror and utter disbelief to the slaughter of innocent life in Las Vegas (Sunday night). It’s hard for any of us to imagine the sheer terror experienced by concertgoers running for their lives, unsure of the depraved shooter’s location. It’s hard to imagine the inconsolable grief being experienced by the families of the victims. And it’s hard to fathom the inaction of Congress in the face of so many mass shootings in this country. What will it take to pass common sense gun laws that take guns out of the hands of people who should not have them? We pray for those injured and killed. And we are grateful yet again for the brave first responders who stopped the shooter and selflessly came to the aid of hundreds of innocent victims.”
Source #4
6/24/2016: Welch Discusses Why He Joined House Floor Sit-In Over Gun Control
Source #5
6/23/2016: Vermont Rep. Peter Welch took part in Democrats' sit-in staged by Democrats seeking a vote on gun control laws"
Source #6
Jan 2013: Welch backs gun control, laments Congressional in-fighting
Source #7
Dec 2012: Vt. Delegation Weighs In On Gun Laws
Peter Welch on restricting the 2nd Amendment: Welch said the discussion should include a number of issues including a ban on semi automatic assault weapons, funding for mental health services and background checks for gun shows.
"If we're there and we talk about this in an open way, we acknowledge that we just can't expose our kids to this kind of threat."
"But we can do that in a way where we respect the long tradition that we're really proud of in Vermont of responsible gun use."
"I mean what happened in Newtown has nothing to do with responsible gun use, obviously so what steps can we take, all of us, including the NRA to be responsible and try to take practical steps that are going to avert this from happening again."

Source #8
Dec 2012: Article showing the hypocrisy of Vermont politicians and the NRA that gives high rating to anti-gun politicians.
Source #9
2013: Welch backs gun control, laments Congressional in-fighting
Welch said he particularly favors the requirement of background checks, lower-capacity ammunition magazines and preventing the sale of assault weapons that were clearly intended for military use but that have been slightly modified for the civilian market.

Source #10

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Last Updated: 11/03/2018
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