Gents, Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you for the information. As a Marine, and as a Vermonter, the mention of the Vermont carry caught my eye like an overdraft notice from the bank. In my sixteen years of service in the Corps, the Vermont Govt. must have enacted this CCW policy and I never heard of it! Not like it really impacted me too much. Any time I ever went home, it was a small matter to gpo down to the Town offices and get my Deer, Bear, and Turkey tags and head out into the fields. I never gave any thought to how my firearms were stowed in the vehicle, or to if I were pulled over by the local Cops (we call them Nabbers) or anything like that.
Sure there is a low crime rate in Vermont. It's main inflow of money is tied with Tourism! There is really no heavy industry, we have no equivalent to Silicon Valley, and with only very few exceptions, there isn't really any big business (except for tourism!) Large towns typically number under 10,000 people. More likely under 5,000. My home town (Manchester) is considered large because it is a major crossroads to go across the state.
Vermonters (natives at least) are a rural folk. They DO live in a gun culture, and this might explain why there is a "Vermont Carry" policy for this state. Even though our State Representative is a Socialist (I DIDN'T vote for him!) one of the main reasons he was elected in the first place was his initial stand against Gun control. I can't say if he still feels this way. ALL politicians tend to change their stands as the wind blows. I have to study the hometown paper a bit more closely to see if there are any new twists that I should be aware of. Given the state of politics within the State, I was (frankly) surprised by this "Vermont Carry" that was mentioned here. It has started to make me want to re-evaluate my overall opinion of the State Govt.(crappy), and maybe spend a bit more time studying the political situation. It's hard to do this sometimes - especially since I'm here in Japan, but it IS worth the effort!
This forum is populated by some of the most articulate, intelligent, and thoughtful Americans that I've yet to encounter, and you are all brothers (and sisters) to boot! I am heartened to see that there actually IS a section of the populace that I can identify with and respond to, and I thank you for the opportunity that you've given me to state my opinions herein. I serve in the Marines not only because I have always wanted to be a Marine, but because I have a really strong sense of pride for my country and Corps. I gladly serve over here so that you can continue to populate this forum. Keep it up! Thanks again!
Unkel Gilbey