Tipsheet

The Town Where The American Revolution Began Wants to Ban Semi-Automatic Guns

They say those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it, and it looks as though the residents of Lexington, Massachusetts may need to brush up on their history books. Gun rights activists from all over the state are speaking out against a proposed ban on certain semi-automatic weapons.

Barg was one of about 150 gun rights advocates, including many from as far away as Lowell and Ashburnham, who appeared before the Board of Selectmen in opposition to a citizen’s petition that would create a town bylaw prohibiting the manufacture, sale, ownership, or possession of specific weapons in town.

That proposal was filed by town resident Robert Rotberg, the founding director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Program on Intrastate Conflict and president emeritus of the World Peace Foundation.

“It is time as citizens, and citizens of Lexington, that we attempt to remove assault weapons from the inventory of town residents,” Rotberg said in front of the overwhelmingly pro-gun crowd of mostly men.

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Rotberg said the proposed bylaw would “ban assault weapons and large capacity magazines,” and prohibit a list of specific weapons, including those used in mass shootings in Newtown, Conn., and more recently in San Bernadino, Calif.

Thankfully, selectmen, as well as the chief of police, voiced opposition to the proposed bylaw.

Without the right to bear arms, the American Revolution never could have happen. Let's hope Lexington doesn't decide to impede on its residents' fundamental rights.