Backlash against the compulsory gun law in Nelson

The tussle between gun control and gun rights remains as tough as ever. Nelson, a town about 50 miles north of Atlanta, recently passed a law that requires each household to have a gun and ammunition. Although city leaders said that this law is symbolic and will not be enforced, a group that supports gun control has sued the town, contending that the gun ownership law is unconstitutional.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, based in Washington, has filed the lawsuit. It claims that “the Second Amendment doesn’t require anyone to have a gun, and government cannot require citizens to arm themselves.” (Source: Fox News)

Both sides of the compulsory gun debate

Jonathan Lowry of the Brady Center said, “Forcing residents to buy guns they do not want or need won’t make the city of Nelson or its people any safer, and only serves to increase gun sales and gun industry profits.”

Council members said the law will not be enforced and has no penalty. The law exempts those who oppose gun ownership or cannot afford a gun. It also exempts heads of households with disabilities or those who have been convicted of a felony. (Source: Washington Post)

Crime in Nelson is minimal, so why mandate guns?

Those who support the law say that the town’s sole police officer leaves residents in the town of 1,300 practically unprotected for the better part of the day. The last homicide in Nelson was more than five years ago, so whether the town needs this legislation is debatable.

View this sign here.

Councilman Duane Cronic said about the law, “I likened it to a security sign that people put up in their front yards. Some people have security systems, some people don’t, but they put those signs up. I really felt like this ordinance was a security sign for our city.” (Source: Associated Press)