An open letter to Governor Phil Scott:
On behalf of the citizens of the great state of Vermont, we are asking you to please include Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers in the list of businesses considered essential during the COVID-19 crisis, as other states have done.
As I'm sure you are aware, many residents have chosen to purchase a firearm for protection during this time of uncertainty, and Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution guarantees them that right.
Many of these transfers have been put on hold due to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) being overwhelmed by the volume of background checks in recent weeks. Closing FFLs essentially strips these people of their natural right to protect their family under Article 16 and the Second Amendment.