Conn. Town Writes Its Own Gun Laws, Bans Assault Weapons

The small town outside of Newtown, Conn. also bans automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Just 20 miles away from Sandy Hook Elementary School, Weston, Connecticut officials have decided to restrict assault weapons. The small town does not have a lot of gun violence but the Newtown massacre that left 26 people dead was too close to home for the residents.

The plan has three main points. "First, is it bans assault weapons and automatic weapons, as well as high-capacity magazines, which are not appropriate in our town for sporting purposes," says Selectman Dennis Tracey, one of Weston's three elected officials. "Second, it requires safe and secure storage of weapons when they're not being used. And third, it requires the registration of all firearms in town." Violating one of the points would result in a $500 fine.

The current law bans the use of military-style weapons but not their possession, like the proposed ordinance would. While many support the proposed law, others still feel it threatens their constitutional rights. "I have a constitutional right to possess whatever guns I want, and you have in here that you're trying to ban the possession of those firearms,” said Mark Harper, city employee and gun owner. “That will be challenged," (NPR)

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