Family pleads for changes to state gun laws in obituary for son who shot himself

The family of a Vermont man who died by suicide included a request in an obituary for their son for people to advocate for changes to the state’s gun laws.

“In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Andrew [Robert Black’s] name be made to the Green Mountain Club,” the family wrote in The Burlington Free Press, referring to a nonprofit that promotes hiking in the state.

{mosads}“Additionally, the family asks that you please consider lobbying your State Representative with the following: ‘In honor of Andrew R. Black, we ask that you work for legislation that imposes a reasonable waiting period between firearm purchase and possession to provide a cooling off period to guard against impulsive acts of violence.’”

Black, 23, shot and killed himself on Dec. 6, a day after purchasing a firearm, his mother, Alyssa Black, said to The Associated Press.

Vermont does not require people to go through waiting periods for gun purchases, according to the newspaper. 

In the obituary, the family remembers Andrew Black as a “true son of Vermont who loved hiking the Green Mountain Trails” and someone who “found beauty in everything he saw.”

“Andrew Black was an adventurous spirit who loved deeply and was loved in return,” the family writes. “He will be greatly missed by his many friends, family, and co-workers alike.”

Multiple state Democratic lawmakers told the Free Press that they have received calls and emails from constituents about waiting periods for gun purchases. 

Rep. Dylan Giambatista (D) said that there “could be a debate” about the legislation in the upcoming legislative session.