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Bill

S 187

An act relating to permitting members of the General Assembly to carry concealed handguns in the State House

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Williams

Allows Vermont General Assembly members to carry concealed handguns inside the State House.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 187

Bill Overview

S 187 (2025-2026) from Vermont proposes to permit members of the General Assembly to carry concealed handguns in the State House.

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize sitting members of Vermont’s General Assembly to carry concealed firearms within the State House.
  • The bill appears to aim at extending self-defense or firearm-access rights to legislators while on state premises, where the current policy may restrict such possession.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Authorization: Grants permission for members of the General Assembly to carry concealed handguns in the State House.
  • Scope: The provision applies specifically to members of the General Assembly (state lawmakers) while on State House grounds or inside the chamber/building.
  • Regulation and Enforcement: The available summary does not specify detailed regulatory conditions (e.g., permitting requirements, weapon types, storage, or security protocols). If enacted, the bill would typically be accompanied by related rules on who may carry, how concealed weapons are secured, and penalties for violations, but those details are not provided in the summary.
  • Oversight: The action history notes the bill was Read 1st time and referred to the Judiciary Committee, indicating initial procedural steps but no final committee report or floor action details are included.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Members of the Vermont General Assembly (state senators and representatives) who would be authorized to carry concealed handguns inside the State House.
  • Secondary: State House staff, security personnel, and visitors who operate within or around the building, who may experience changes in security dynamics or access policies as a result of legislators carrying firearms.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Read 1st time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary on January 6, 2026.
  • Next steps: The Judiciary Committee would typically review for compatibility with existing laws, consider safety, training, and enforcement implications, and potentially amend or report the bill to the full chamber. Floor action would follow if the committee reports the measure.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsor listed as Terry Williams.

Potential Impacts and Considerations (Contextual)

  • Public safety and security: Allowing concealed carry by lawmakers inside the State House may raise questions about meeting safety, crowd control, and incident response protocols for the building.
  • Policy alignment: The bill would need to align with Vermont’s broader gun laws, including any state-level permitting requirements, background checks, and firearm storage rules.
  • Precedent and equity: The bill creates a special exception for legislators within a state government building, which could prompt discussion about access for other highly privileged groups or about consistency with existing security policies governing visitors and staff.

Note: The summary is based on the provided bill description. Specific regulatory details (e.g., permitting process, weapon standards, training, storage, or penalties) would be defined in the bill’s text or in accompanying committee amendments and related Vermont statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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