Group demonstrates gun rights in Stamford
STAMFORD — Saying they were trying to raise awareness of second amendment rights, seven men, some carrying guns, walked through downtown Stamford Saturday afternoon to show that doing so is legal in the state.
“Many people don’t know that Connecticut is an open carry state,” said South Windsor resident Michael Picard, 31, who organized the event.
Residents can carry a gun in the state with a permit, which they must carry with them. Guns are not allowed in some areas including state parks.
City resident Julio C. Sanchez, 46, said he often carries his pistol for all to see.
“I believe we have the right to open carry. We have our freedoms. We should be able to walk around if we want to,” Sanchez said. “Just because you see someone with a firearm doesn’t mean we are going to do something bad.”
The group walked from the Government Center over to the police department and down Bedford Street between 1 and 2:30 p.m. No one called 911 dispatch to report armed pedestrians, police said.
Capt. Diedrich Hohn, who shadowed the group as it made its way through the busy downtown said they all acted within their legal rights as gun owners.
Steve Shafer, 29, of New
Britain, was carrying a “potato cannon” made from white PVC pipe. Shafer explained that he used to have a license to carry but it was taken away after someone stole his gun out of his car.
“We are standing up for our civil rights and liberties,” he said, adding he believes he should be able to carry any weapon, including grenades or a machine gun.
“Because it is my property, that’s why and I should be able to walk around with what I want,” he said.
Picard is suing Stamford, claiming he didn’t deserve to be arrested in 2018 for carrying a sign in front of police headquarters with a curse word on it.
“You are your own best defense,” he said Saturday. “When a crime happens police often show up after the crime occurs. In that moment when you need to defend yourself, the cops aren’t necessarily going to be there.”