The city of Nelson, GA has only one police officer right now and has now passed a mandatory firearm ordinance to help deter crime. They are following the lead of Kennesaw, which did it 30 years ago.

But don’t worry, apparently if you object to having a firearm you don’t have to purchase one:

CBS Atlanta 46

FOX ATLANTA – A second Georgia city approved an ordinance requiring residents to have a gun in their home.

The city of Nelson follows the lead of Kennesaw, which passed a similar law more than 30 years ago. Nelson’s police chief, Heath Mitchell, says it will help his understaffed department.

Mitchell is the city’s only officer.

“We’re budgeted for a few more officers, but right now we just have one and I’m pretty much doing it all right now,” Mitchell said.

But when a city council member first approached him about passing a law that would require people to have a gun in their home, he was skeptical until he spoke with Kennesaw’s police chief.

“I worried at first. I had my doubts. And after speaking with him a couple of hours and going over some stats, I was all for it,” said Mitchell.

The chief believes a mandatory gun law would be a deterrent to crime and protect citizens from being prosecuted should they resort to using one to defend themselves or their property.

The chief says the plan is to post signs at the city limit so bad guys will know to pass right on by the City of Nelson.

“We’re probably going to go ahead and post the ordinance, you know, ‘Firearms required in the city of Nelson,'” Mitchell said.