Recreational shooters are taking notice of a new gun ordinance going on the books in Newtown, finally reaching legislation more than a year after work started on the controversial rewording.
Newtown's Legislative Council approved the change last week after the ordinance committee chaired by council member Mary Ann Jacob finalized the long-discussed language. Jacob released the final language of the bill Monday.
"It's been a long process, and everybody had the opportunity to be heard," Fairfield County Fish and Game Club lawyer Andrew Buzzi told Patch after the vote. "I think it's a good compromise. I applaud the fact the process was so well-run and everyone had the opportunity to be heard."
For months, the council held ordinance committee meetings in a lecture hall at Newtown High School as hundreds of residents and non-residents came, often to speak during public input sessions.
The council finally approved the ordinance Wednesday night, at a more sparsely attended meeting at the Municipal Center.
"I think we're finished, finally," said Legislative Council chair Jeff Capeci just before the vote.
The full text of the ordinance is available above.
Major points include limiting shooting to four hours and requiring police notification beforehand. Only one person at a time can shoot, and up to . Shooting is limited to between 8 a.m. and sunset, and cannot be done within a half-mile of a school during school hours. A previous restriction on shooting within 500 feet of an occupied building remains on the books.
Local shooting clubs -- including Newtown Fish and Game Club, the Pequot Fish and Game Club and the Fairfield County Fish and Game Club -- are excepted from the provisions.
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