New Britain Could Decide Gun Policy

When the city council meets tonight in New Britain, members are expected to vote on a proposed ordinance that would require gun owners to conceal their weapons.

New Britain is the only city or town in the state that requires gun owners make their weapons visible.

A committee has recommended a change.

The issue has become a hot topic of discussion after Sung Ho Hwang, a lawyer, was arrested for bringing a partially exposed loaded  handgun into a theater to see “The Dark Knight Rises” in New Haven last month.

Hwang held a news conference after the arrest and said he brought the gun to the theater to protect himself because he was going to the theater alone downtown and has a valid permit.

Charges have since been dropped.

Alderman Willie Pabon, a Republican gun owner, said the New Britain ordinance is old and the proposed the new one would make people feel less intimidated.

“What I'm trying to do is, you have an option if you want to expose or you want to conceal it,” Pabon said.

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