Sudbury Resident: Gunfire Too Close to Sudbury Schools

When Jim Cavanaugh heard Sudbury children could hear automatic gunfire while playing at Nixon and Noyes elementary schools, he knew something had to be done about that.

The Codman Drive resident and others are bringing a warrant article to Annual Town Meeting in May to change the bylaw that allows the use of guns as close as 500 feet of dwellings, and have in include an amendment in relation to schools and playgrounds.

"Over the last few years, there's been occasional gunfire around town," he said. "Kids at playgrounds have heard it. And I'm wondering how is it possible there is shooting so close to our schools?"

The amendment would set a half-mile buffer zone around schools, temples and playgrounds, he said.

Cavanaugh said the push to create this amendment is not about the national gun control debate, nor is it about the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

"This wouldn’t have prevented that," he said about the Connecticut elementary school shooting.

To assure himself this amendment wouldn't infringe on someone's Second Amendment right to bear arms, Cavanaugh said he asked a friend who is a recreational shooter what he thought about the article.

"He shoots locally here and said he never shot within half mile of a school, knowing how far a bullet can travel," Cavanaugh said. "I asked him if he thought it infringed his right, and he supported it."

Cavanaugh said this effort is to support responsible gun use in town and protect children.