65°
DARIEN, Conn. — Darien leaders approved a resolution Monday night supporting legislation that would restrict the availability of assault weapons in the wake of the Newtown school shooting last month.
“The Darien Board of Selectmen supports the enactment of sensible state and federal legislation requiring effective background checks on all persons purchasing firearms and restricting the commercial availability of military grade assault weapons, military grade ammunition and high capacity magazines,” the resolution said.
"The Board of Selectmen acknowledges that deterring future horrific crimes of this nature requires a holistic approach to safety, mental health awareness and support as well as meaningful gun regulation," it also said.
The resolution was introduced by Selectman David Bayne and unanimously supported by the rest of the board.
"I think it's important that this not just be a conversation among politicians, but that is be a conversation that the country is taking on as a whole. That this be a grassroots conversation that happen on the local level and the federal level and the state level, and that it happen in people's living rooms," Bayne said.
"It's important that the Board of Selectmen come out and say things need to change, we can't have another Newtown."
"These seem to be universally appealing types of changes that folks across the nation might like to see," said First Selectman Jayme Stevenson. "I hope there's some thoughtful and meaningful change that comes, that will certainly come at different levels of government than our own."
The Darien Democratic Town Committee announced Monday that it signed a similar resolution urging elected officials to reduce gun violence. The resolution supports closing loopholes in background check laws, replacing the expired federal assault weapons ban with a more enforceable law and vigorous prosecution of felons who attempt to buy firearms.
“The unthinkable happened last month in Newtown and as a nation it is our duty to come together, putting party politics aside, and end senseless gun violence,” said Randall Klein, chairman of the Darien DTC.
“This movement for change is just beginning and now is the time for us to be a part of a larger strategy. During President Obama’s next term it is estimated that over 48,000 Americans will be murdered with guns. It is time to demand a plan and stop the cycle.”
Comments