Speak Out: Towns Requiring Gun Ownership?

A small town in Georgia is making news after its five-member council approved a measure that requires all heads of households to own a gun.

The Associated Press reports that Nelson, Georgia officials approved the measure Monday night.

"In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, every head of household residing in the city limits is required to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition therefore," the ordinance reads.

The ordinance exempts people with physical or mental disabilities from the law, as well as felons, paupers and those who oppose gun ownership based on based on beliefs or religious doctrines.

What happens to those who don't have a gun in Nelson once the new ordinance goes into effect next week?

Absolutely nothing. The ordinance carries no penalties.

City Councilman Duane Cronic says the ordinance will make Nelson safer

"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," he told the Associated Press. "I really felt like this ordinance was a security sign for our city."

Town officials also want to send a message to the federal government, as President Obama is pushing for stricter gun controls following the Sandy Hook Elementary School murders, according to The Huffington Post.

What do you think about this? Should more towns take a public stand on the issue of gun ownership, gun control and gun rights? Or is passing a ordinance designed not to be enforced a waste of time?

Tell us in the comments!