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Conn. State Sen. Brings Assault Rifle Look-Alike To Forum At Church

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - A Connecticut lawmaker was almost arrested at a gun control forum in a Guilford church on Sunday when someone in the room didn't like what he saw and heard.

The audience was told beforehand that, for purposes of a demonstration, a gun would be displayed.

It was the idea of State Sen. Ed Meyer, who brought an M4 BB rifle made to look like an AR-15 assault weapon.

He emphasized that the gun was not loaded, nor was any ammunition brought to the site.

Conn. St. Sen. Brings Assault Rifle Look-Alike To Forum At Church

Meyer even brought along a police officer to demonstrate the weapon, but still he says, someone blew the whistle.

Meyer said the officer held the gun up to the audience of about 100 and described its components.

"In the audience was a very strong pro-gun person from an organization called Carry Guns and he called 911 and brought the police in and sought to have the police officer and me arrested," Meyer told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.

However, no charges were brought since, under Connecticut law, components of a gun can be publicly demonstrated, something Meyer made sure to check out before arranging to bring the gun to the forum.

Meanwhile, a Westport woman was arrested and charged with breach of peace for bringing a BB rifle with ammunition to a town hall meeting.

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