Crime & Safety

Westport Woman Arrested with Gun at RTM Meeting Appears in Court

Westport resident Estelle Margolis appeared in State Superior Court in Norwalk Wednesday after being arrested January 8 for bringing a BB gun and .45 caliber ammunition into Westport Town Hall.

 

An 86-year-old Westport resident, who had planned on speaking in favor of a gun-control petition during a Representative Town Meeting (RTM) hearing last month, was arrested before she could get to the podium for having a weapon inside town hall.

The woman, Estelle Margolis, said when the topic of gun control arose she was going to use the BB gun to prove a point to the audience regarding how easily firearms can be purchased.

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Margolis appeared in State Superior Court in Norwalk Wednesday and had her case continued. She is facing a breach of peace charge, according to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website.

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In addition to the BB gun rifle, Margolis had a box of pellets and a box .45 caliber ammunition with her at the meeting, according to Westport Police Captain Sam 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.

Prior to the RTM's January 8 meeting a Westport Police Officer was approached by RTM member Sean Timmons, who stated that he and RTM member Matthew Mandell suspected Margolis entered the auditorium with a weapon under her clothing.

“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,” Arciola said.


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