East Lyme Gun Shop Owner Criticized For Controversial Sign

EAST LYME, CT — First Selectman Mark Nickerson has received numerous complaints regarding a sign at Ron's Guns, according to The Day. The sign in the yard of the Boston Post Road business reads: "Scumbag Democrats Have Stolen the Election! Lying - Cheating - Ballot Padding!"

Nickerson, a Republican, said in a Facebook post on his personal page that he was "disgusted and outraged by the hateful message," The Day reported.

Nickerson has since deleted the post and wrote: "My OP was meant to promote peace and unity and I am removing the message for the same reason."

He wrote that: "Some think I was out of line in calling out someone in the name of free speech regardless of the message and tone. The constitution protects this right and I respect that right. But can’t we be better than tearing each other down or name calling? Maybe not."

The gun store's owner, Ron Rando, has put up controversial signs in the past. Rando told The Day that he was exercising his freedom of speech by putting up the sign.

Nickerson has brought the issue to the town's attorney to see if anything can be done about the sign.