Maine town of Byron plans mandatory gun-ownership vote

A small town in the US state of Maine is planning to hold a symbolic vote to require each household to own a gun.

Officials in Byron, population 140, say they understand the move would be unenforceable because the state does not allow municipal firearm laws.

It would join a handful of communities across the US considering similar measures in support of gun ownership.

Byron's vote comes amid a White House campaign to strengthen gun laws after a mass school shooting in December.

Rising crime rate

"My purpose was to make a statement in support of the Second Amendment," said head selectman Anne Simmons-Edmund, of the vote, which is expected to be held at the town's annual meeting on Monday.

The Second Amendment to the US Constitution refers to the right of citizens "to keep and bear arms".

However, restrictions on lawful gun ownership vary by state.

Ms Simmons-Edmund, who is also a police officer in nearby Dixfield, said 90% of residents in the town already own a firearm, but the measure also reflected community concern about the remote area's rising crime rates, which she said have nearly tripled in the last year.

"We're not going to invade anybody's privacy,'' Ms Simmons-Edmunds said. "We just want to send a statement that we're not going to give up our guns."

Not all in Byron were supportive of the move.

"It gives new meaning to the term March Madness," Byron resident Philip Paquette told Reuters news agency, referring to the popular name of America's national collegiate basketball tournament.

"She is infringing on the rights of townspeople. I'm a hunter and own guns, and I have a right to. People also have a right not to own guns."

A similar proposal failed in Sabattus, Maine, where town officials voted not to send the measure to voters.

The Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed a similar law in 1982, and two other cities - Spring City, Utah, and Greenleaf, Idaho - have laws on the books recommending gun ownership for all households.

Nelson, Georgia is also set to vote on mandatory gun ownership on 1 April.

--BBC