Town to vote on mandatory gun ownership ordinance - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

A town in Maine has been thrust into the national spotlight for an ordinance that will be voted upon Monday night.

Residents in Byron, Maine will decide on whether each household should be required to own a firearm.

While most of the 140 residents already own at least one firearm, the bill would be unenforceable anyway under Maine law. Head Selectman Anne Simmons-Edmund says the vote is largely symbolic.

"My purpose was to make a statement in support of the Second Amendment (to the U.S. Constitution)," said Simmons-Edmund.

Several residents have disagreed with the ordinance - including gun owners - saying that, just as Americans have the right to own guns, they should also have the right not to.

Byron is not the only town to consider such a measure - a city leader in Nelson, Georgia has proposed a similar measure, which will be up for vote on April 1.

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