Open Carry ‘Doesn’t Make Sense For Newtown’
To the Editor:
Ordinances restricting the open carry of firearms on town property have been passed in other Connecticut municipalities and I hope the Newtown Legislative Council votes in favor of such policy when the topic is further evaluated after the November 2 elections. From an apolitical and sheerly economic standpoint, refusing to move forward with this proposal could lead individuals and businesses to think twice about where they will spend there money, as we’ve seen in other states, cities, and towns across the country, when social matters have fallen on deaf ears.
On Tuesday evening [10/26], I attended a crowded Legislative Council Ordinance Subcommittee meeting regarding the matter and listened to folks who fell on both sides of the topic state their points of view, mostly in the respectful manner to be expected in a town like Newtown. What needs to be remembered is that there is no other town like Newtown, which has the burden of being the “I remember where I was…” town on the matter of school shootings.
At the meeting, I didn’t hear anyone suggest a ban on the town’s concealed carry policy. I listened to stories of trauma from some of the now high-schoolers who were in Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, each highlighting the continued trauma and fear the idea of even seeing a gun brings them to this day, especially being openly displayed by private citizens on town property. I also listened to a few town members state their opposition to the proposal and while I respect their opinions, not one talked about the trauma they’ve experienced in situations where they were unable to openly display their guns.
Conversations regarding gun violence here aren’t anecdotal and in an ever-polarizing landscape, the negative optics of disregarding the feelings of those who have experienced such horrors would be damaging to the town’s future prosperity and both socially and fiscally irresponsible. Where other towns may be comfortable branding themselves an open carry sanctuary, it just doesn’t make sense for Newtown.
Tim Rescigno
Newtown
CT is an open carry state. Do we see businesses and individuals thinking twice about where to spend their money as a result? Businesses and individuals are voting with their feet to get out of a state that is spending their money for them (taxes).
As a taxpayer in Newtown, I am against this limited local action. It makes sense for NAA to address its legislative concern at the state level. Trying to create an end-run around the process because it is easier is not the appropriate way to make legislative change. The Connecticut towns that have banned open carry have not faced a full legal challenge. I would support this as a local ordinance only if NAA agrees to pay for the avoidable mountain of legal fees. The same reason the NAA would like to use Newtown as a test case is the same reason the law will be challenged.
From what the Town Attorney says, he believes an ordinance like this to be unlawful. If we pass it and it is challenged (as I am sure it will be), who will pay for the cost of defending it ? (And given the new Police Accountability Bill, will we indemnify the Newtown Officer who makes the arrest/ issues the summons?). Will the NAA fund the thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) Shipman and Goodwin will bill to defend the town ?