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Reader feedback sought: why carry weapons at a peaceful rally?

Guy Page

by Guy Page

In his first “Fair Game” column for Seven Days, veteran Vermont journalist Dave Gram discusses divisions within the Vermont Republican Party in the aftermath of the January 6 riot in Washington, D.C.. He also mentions the possible armed, pro-Trump rally at the Vermont State House on Sunday, January 17. In conclusion, he asks what (to many non-gun owners) must sound like a real stumper:

“Anyone packing for Montpelier on the 17th ought to answer this question: Why would you arm yourself for a peaceable assembly?”

Why indeed? Even as a non-gun owner, some rather obvious reasons come mind. First, Vermonters have the legal right to carry. Second, a firearm might come in handy if someone starts shooting at you or someone else. Vermont Daily‘s many, many gun-owning readers are encouraged to provide an informed answer Mr. Gram’s question in a comment below. Mr. Gram may read Vermont Daily, or he may not – if you wish to answer him directly, his published email address is dave@sevendaysvt.com.

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If the ratio of gun owners to citizens is any measure of the popularity of gun control, bills like Baruth’s may have a tougher time getting passed. Vermont gun ownership grew faster than ever before last year. Gun purchases exceeded 50,000 for the first time since the US government began making background checks in the 1990’s. A total of 57,965 firearms purchase background checks were initiated in 2020 by the federal NICS. The year before saw only 35,843.

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