Montpelier, VT- Vermont’s only state-based gun violence prevention organization denounced the legal opinion issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that the federal ban on 18 - 20 year olds to purchase handguns, “may not be enforced”. This opinion directly contradicts Vermont law, which prohibits the sale of guns to purchasers under 21 years old unless they are active law enforcement, a member of the military or have completed a hunter safety course. 

“This opinion undermines the will of the people of Vermont to make decisions on how to decide to keep our communities safe from gun violence, including suicide,” said GunSense Vermont Executive Director Seton McIlroy. “We know that guns are the leading cause of death in the United States for 18 - 20 year olds and that 62% of suicides in Vermont are by gun. It is both reckless and potentially life-threating to repeal this common sense policy. ” 

Founded by Vermont volunteers in 2012 following the tragic shooting in Sandy Hook, GunSense Vermont is a non-partisan 501(c)4 that works to ensure all Vermonters are free from gun violence.