City may end concealed weapons ban

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A controversial gun law has one Connecticut town considering major changes.

If you have a permit to carry a gun it must be visible, not concealed. And some residents say it's time to change the law.

"So tell me what kind of gun is this on your hip," asked News 8's Bob Wilson.

"It is a Cal Tech 380," said Willie Pabon, minority leader.

"I notice there is no clip," said Wilson.

"No clip and this is what I go out with," said Pabon.

And by the law, he must wear it out in the open for everyone to see. In the mall, at the bank, even though he has a permit, it is illegal for him to conceal the gun under a shirt or jacket.

"I don't like showing it the way it is now because right now this comes out like nothing," said Pabon. "Somebody can grab it and shoot me with it."

New Britain is the only city left in Connecticut that requires permit holders to carry their hand gun in plain view.

"How would a woman carry a gun if she can't conceal it," Pabon asked.

Pabon has proposed a change to the gun law in New Britain. News 8 wanted to walk around downtown New Britain with him, gun on hip, to get reactions from the public, but he didn't feel comfortable or safe, so we went to visit his neighbors.

"Right now he looks like a police officer, but if he was dressed differently," asked Wilson.

"Yeah, if he had on sweatpants and sweatshirt shopping, people could get the wrong idea and panic," said Jamie Giantonio. "And all you need is one person to start panicking if you are in the mall."