Residents Oppose Newtown Gun Show

At the January 26, 2022, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, several members of the public voiced concerns about a “Newtown Gun Show” to be held at the Newtown Sports Training Center on March 26-27, 2022.

According to Newtown Township Manager Micah Lewis, this type of use is not currently permitted under the existing Certificates of Occupancy for the Newtown Sports Training Center and on January 24, 2022, a Notice of Violation was sent to the owner of the establishment (Newtown Racquetball Assoc.). 

In the following 10-minute video clip from the meeting, three residents explain why they think this show is not good for Newtown.

More Comments From Residents

After residents made comments in person at the meeting, Supervisor Elen Snyder submitted over 40 email messages from other residents to have them as part of the record. You can view all these emails here. Below are a few highlights from these comments:

“Why on earth should there be a gun show in Newtown? My primary objection is that they are known to be easy access to crime tools for bad actor.” - P.M.

“Gun shows are notoriously known to be where many purchase weapons under false pretenses.” - B.M.

“It is our friends and lovers who are most likely to die when there is a "self-defense" firearm in the home…Gun shows are among the most common sources of criminal access to firearms because it is relatively easy for those who would otherwise not be able to qualify as purchasers to have an intermediary make the purchase…With more licensed gun dealers than McDonald's restaurants, why in the name of sanity is a gun show in the public interest? ” - R.S.

“Women unable to escape from domestic violence are likely to be killed if their spouse /significant other has a firearm.” - C.P.

“I hope that the superviors (sic) of our township will not entertain ANY changes to zoning that would permit firearm usage or activities in these districts that are immediately next to our homes!” - K.Z.

“A gun show, a relic of the Confederacy I might add, is a provocation. Nothing more.” - D.T.

“We do not want or need any more guns especially during an epidemic of gun violence and Covid-19.” - S.S.

“Guns should not be easy to shop for and available easily in Newtown or in Pennsylvania. The wrong message is being sent by having a gun show in our town of Newtown since it appears that Newtown is pro gun.” - C.M.

“The ad says that all laws will be followed, but that's never stopped anyone in the past from purchasing and re-selling a gun.” - S.P.

“Our wonderful little town of Newtown should not be associated with such a show. I moved to Newtown in 1957 and have lived through all its growth.(1 m 88) .” - B.E.

“Let's do our part to honor the memory of the slain children of Newtown and do our best not to promote the sale of weapons of death on our Newtown land.” - S.C.

“The idea of having a gun show in the middle of Quaker country is abhorrent.” - D.G.

“Now is not the time to stir up that divisiveness in a community that is working hard to embrace common values and create a genuine sense of respect and civil responsibility. Although hosting a gun show may benefit Mr. Worthington financially and advance his political interests, its does not benefit the community at large. I strongly believe it is not in the larger interest of the community's health and well being to approve a variance from our Zoning Board to allow this event to take place so near to our homes.” - P.M.

“These shows create further opportunity for potential criminal activity, possibly threatening the lives, health, and welfare of the people of our community.” - A.S.

“Allowing more guns into circulation during a gun violence epidemic is like pouring gasoline on a fire to put it out.” - C.R.

“The statistics of gun ownership and resulting violence in the United States are staggering. It has infiltrated all realms of public and private life, including our children and school safety.” - K.G.

---