Loveit: <!-- /robots --> <big>New Bill:: Vermont NON-GUN owners to be taxed</big> <b>Posted By: <big>in_PHI_nitti</big> Date: Sunday, 25-Oct-2009 22:16:10 </b><table><tbody><tr><td valign="top">Just got this in: Vermont: Combination of plenty of guns and few laws regulating them has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation. When it comes to guns. Looks like Vermont has more real cowboys than Arizona. Finally, A Sensible Gun Registration Plan 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. ThusVermont 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 affirming 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 oforce" 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 "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 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. </td></tr></tbody></table> http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?noframes;read=158828
Crapola, I think. By registering and taxing non owners, the owners are automatically identified. Now what to do? Kudos for the unmitigated balls to even suggest it, but it ain't going anywhere.
Not to mention the fact that 3rd place still isn't 1st. If you want to lead by example, then remove Federal Taxes (IRS), and property taxes (rent to the State). Then talk about registering non gun owners and taxing them. Vermont isn't exactly a pistol-wielding paradise to begin with. But, this is better than another gun control measure.
Wow I like this idea. Register them and make them pay fees! This is good stuff! Make them take courses on being unarmed and wait five days to go outside for a walk or to the store. ST
only thing i see is that would lay the ground work for more taxes for everyone, might tax you if do or don't smoke, or if you have kids or not, or own a dog or not...etc
Well this way if the commander of the civilian defense forces marches into the state atty general's office and demands to know who the gun owners are he can just throw the phone book to him while drawing his expensive korth revolver from his expensive italian leather attache case.
I question whether he is really serious. I suspect it is a ploy to make a point. After all the anti-‘s don’t have a second thought about registering and taxing the gun owners.
qoute------------it's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.------------I assume the writer mis-spoke or did I miss Alaska changing their laws?!?