57°
After several meetings filled with debate and threats from nonresidents, the town’s top board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a townwide firearms ordinance without any public comments.
The new rules would prohibit use of a machine gun or assault weapon in Weston and also prohibit shooting a firearm for residential target practice, except for landowners who have a residential target-practice permit.
Children younger than 16 years old would not be allowed to use guns, except children ages 12 to 16 for target practice under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
“It was important that we do whatever we felt was necessary to protect our residents,” said First Selectman Gayle Weinstein, who credited Republican Selectman Dennis Tracey for advocating for stricter gun control regulations after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last December.
Weinstein attended the March for Change two weeks ago in Hartford, which called for stricter gun control laws.
“I’m pleased with where we arrived,” said Selectman David Mueller.
The Weston proposal does not include ammunition and storage requirements, though the preamble offers a broad recommendation of securing firearms and ammunition “in a matter that will prevent unauthorized access when not in use, preferably in a locked gun safe or similar enclosure.”
Weinstein hopes the state will institute rules on ammunition. “I really think all eyes are on Connecticut, and I hope Connecticut will step forward and do the right thing,” she said.
The proposal will next be reviewed by the police commission on March 11, before a March 21 public hearing.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.
