Westport Woman Arrested with BB Gun at Town Hall Gun-Control Meeting

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) voted in favor of backing a citizens' gun-control petition, but not before an 86-year-old Westport resident, who had planned on speaking in favor of the petition, was arrested before she could get to the podium for having a weapon inside town hall.

At about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday a Westport Police Officer was approached by RTM member Sean Timmons, who stated that he and RTM member Matthew Mandell suspected a woman entered the auditorium with a weapon under her clothing, according to a police report.

“The woman told officers that she was planning to go up on stage when the topic of gun control came up and make a point to the audience on how easy it was for her to purchase the gun,” Westport Police Captain Sam Arciola said.

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In addition to the BB gun rifle, the woman had a box of pellets and a box .45 caliber ammunition with her at the meeting, according to Arciola.

“Regardless of what her reasoning was to bring the BB gun rifle to the meeting, it was a poor decision that created alarm and concern to the public. This incident could have clearly escalated into a tragedy,” Arciola said.

Westport resident Estelle Margolis was issued a misdemeanor summons to court for second-degree breach of peace. She is due in Norwalk Superior Court on January 18.