News

Gun control advocates to hold vigil for Sandy Hook victims

By Bill Moss, Published: January 11, 2013

Advocates for tighter gun control in Henderson County will hold a vigil at the Historic Courthouse Friday morning at 9 o'clock in remembrance of the 26 victims of the Dec. 14 mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.The Rev. Ken Kinnett and about two dozen other residents visited the Hendersonville City Council and the Henderson County Board of Commissioners meetings this month to appeal for greater restrictions on assault rifle sales. City and county officials told them state law ties their hands and they don't plan to take any action.
Pam Prather, one of the advocates of gun control, urged like-minded supporters in an email on Thursday to join the vigil and wear black clothing or a black sash.
"Signs are welcomed," she said, "such as 'Save our children/Ban assault weapons' '33 killed by guns in U.S.daily,' 'We will not forget you Newtown, Aurora & Columbine CO & Inner City Streets.' Spread the word. We hope to make this a monthly event."
Kinnett, a retired Episcopal minister, and his wife, Loyd, also spoke at the Flat Rock Village Council on Thursday and urged that board to act against assault rifle sales. Kinnett said he had spoken with a Flat Rock gun shop that would continue to sell assault rifles but council members said he was mistaken about the location; Rex's gun shop has a Flat Rock address but is not in the Village limits.
Another Flat Rock resident arrived later and asked whether the council was planning to ban the sale of guns. "Because if you do please ban the sale of baseball bats and things needed to make Molotov cocktails," she said.
Vice Mayor Nick Weedman, who was presiding in the absence of Mayor Bob Staton, told the Kinnetts the council would take up the question at its next meeting.