The Nelson, Ga., City Council meets to vote on a mandatory gun ownership ordinance for all heads-of-household on Monday.(Photo: Johnny Clark, AP)

Story Highlights

  • Council members unanimously approve ordinance
  • Convicted felons, those with certain physical disabilities exempt
  • One councilman said he knows measure won't be enforced

The Nelson, Ga., City Council has unanimously passed a measure requiring every household to have a gun and ammunition.

Council members approved the Family Protection Ordinance — which requires every head of household to "to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition" — in a 5-0 vote on Monday night, WXIA reported.

However, residents of the small city 50 miles north of Atlanta, can opt out of the measure if they object to gun ownership. In addition, the ordinance also exempts convicted felons and those who suffer from certain physical or mental disabilities. There is no penalty for those who don't comply with the law.

Councilman Duane Cronic, who sponsored the measure, said he knows the ordinance won't be enforced but he still believes it will make the town safer.

"I likened it to a security sign that people put up in their front yards. Some people have security systems, some people don't, but they put those signs up," he said. "I really felt like this ordinance was a security sign for our city. Basically it was a deterrent ordinance to tell potential criminals they might want to go on down the road a little bit."

According to the city's council agenda, the purpose of the ordinance is in "opposition of any future attempt by the federal government to confiscate personal firearms."

Resident Lamar Kellett told WXIA that his town is going too far.

"What's the point?" asked Kellett. "By their own admission this is a sham. It's just for play."

Contributing: The Associated Press