A report of four men carrying two weapons behind David Wooster Middle School led to a temporary lockdown of the Lincoln Street building this afternoon.
Stratford Deputy Police Chief Joseph McNeil said there was no threat to the school, students or faculty. The lockdown was a safety measure taken as a precaution due to the proximity of the incident, he said.
McNeil said that an anonymous call came in at about 12:15 p.m. reporting the presence of four men carrying two weapons in the woods behind the school. Police responded and quickly apprehended the males, whose identities have not yet been released.
Officers also took possession of two BB guns, McNeil said. The men were reportedly going to have target practice in the woods, he added.
The lockdown lasted for about 20 minutes.
"There is no BB guns allowed in the Town of Stratford," McNeil said.
Patch will provide more information as it becomes available.
Man, I hate it when the police don't actually know the law. There is a law in Stratford pertaining to the retail selling of BB guns. It doesn't cover the possession of such by a private individual. Since by law a BB gun is not considered a firearm, Stratford doesn't even have a law covering the discharge of a BB gun. http://ecode360.com/9063996 Now, it's still exceptionally stupid to be walking behind the school with a bb gun, and getting cuffed and stuffed hopefully made that point, but let's not over-react. There is nothing here that says they did anything illegal or intended any harm to anyone.
Yes the sell them in Stratford but the are not allowed
Do you want me to post the information from the town attorney?
ISSUE: Whether the Stratford Town Code prohibits the sale or possession of an air gun or air rifle. SHORT ANSWER: The Stratford Town code prohibits the sale or possession with the intent to sell of any air gun or air rifle. However, while the Town Code does not prohibit the possession or use of such weapons it does restrict how they may be used within Town limits.
The issue presented is whether the Stratford Town Code prohibits the sale or possession of an air gun or air rifle. In order to answer this question, an analysis of the Stratford Town Code and the Connecticut General Statutes is instructive. As an initial matter, I have been unable to find any state law that restricts the sale of a BB gun or air rifle. As such, it appears that Connecticut municipalities may broadly regulate the sale of BB guns or air rifles, so long as it does not conflict with other state laws. See Kaluszka v. Town of E. Hartford, 46 Conn. Supp. 588, 591 (1999); affirmed by Kaluszka v. Town of E. Hartford, 60 Conn. App. 749 (2000).
Furthermore, it is important to note that while the Stratford Town Code does not prohibit the possession of air guns; it does restrict their use within the Town limits. Such restriction is contained in Section 212-5(B) of the Stratford Town Code. Section 212-5(B) allows an individual to discharge a firearm on their private property or on another individuals private property with the consent of the landowner. Strat. Town Code § 212-5 (2012). Furthermore, such weapons may only be used so long as the necessary permits have been issued and the bullet itself does not physically leave the property. Id. However, Section 212-5 does not apply to law enforcement officers who fire their weapons while performing their duties, the firing of such weapons on a firing range or to individuals who have a valid hunting permit and who hunt on state lands. Id.
Finally, C.G.S. § 53-206 regulates the unlawful carrying of a BB gun. C.G.S. § 53-206 states that any person who carries a BB gun on their person will be fined up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to a maximum of three years. However, the carrying of a BB gun is allowed in the following situations: (1) when an individual takes part in a supervised event or competition of the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of America, or (2) while taking part in or transporting the weapon to any other authorized event or competition, or (3) on an individuals own private property or on the private property of another person with permission to carry the weapon on that property, and the transportation of the weapon to and from the property. Id. at (b)(5).
The Stratford Town code prohibits the sale or possession with the intent to sell of any air gun or air rifle, except to a bona fide dealer. However, an air soft gun or rifle may be used within Town limits on an individual’s private property or on other private property with consent of the landowner. In either case, the bullets from such weapon may not physically leave the property. In addition, the Connecticut General Statutes provide that an individual may only transport a BB gun to and from the property where it may lawfully be used. Such gun must be unloaded and locked in a container other than the glove compartment or stored in the trunk of a motor vehicle.
2. Walmart is completely at fault for selling the guns to them without warning. 3. There was no threat to the school, human or animals. Destroying the reputition of 4 college students on the news because of a very foolish mistake the made is totally unfair. Stratford residents have been shooting at targets in the woods for years and i know a lady who has been complaining about it for quiet a while. Nothing was done about it for years but the moment African American men plays with their plastic guns, they must be arrested and embarassed on the news.