[bt_dooftlook]

While I admire the representative's sense of humor, establishing a principle that you can be fined for failing to exercise a right will be pernicious in the extreme.

That being said, there are two arguments on which to base this:

1. The Vermont constitution requires those choosing not to bear arms to pay an equivalent; and

2. The benefits of gun ownership include a 'halo' effect - that is, non-gun-owners benefit materially through reduced crime, etc. and should pay some cost for the benefit.

[MortMan]

Item 2 is explicitly enshrined in the VT constitution, per the article.