A former Democratic congressman and two Republicans state representatives called for support of stricter gun control legislation Monday night in a meeting at the Cathedral Center.

The statements of Charles L. Weltner, Rep. Mike Egan and Rep. Rodney Cook, who is also an Atlanta alderman, did not go unchallenged. Two members of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Cathedral parish said they were opposed to tighter gun control legislation.

Many persons attending the meeting signed petitions which urged “the passage of realistic legislation for the strictest control of all purchases, ownership, registration, finger printing and waiting period of hand guns, rifles and shotguns.” The petitions will be sent to Sens. Richard Russell and Herman Talmadge.

Weltner said, “We meet tonight on an important subject and it is unfortunate that it takes shock to bring the question of gun control legislation to the forefront.”

The former congressman said there are 30 million gun owners in the United States. He said he owned a gun but used it infrequently.

“These guns are involved in 50 fatal shootings every day including murders, suicides and accidents,” Weltner said, adding that since 1900 695,000 lives have been lost because of firearms.

Weltner said the gun homicide rate is 2.7 persons per 100,000 in the United States. “The rate in Great Britain is one-fifty fifth of our rate and in the Netherlands it is one-ninetieth of our rate.”

He pointed out the largest gun control bill only deals with handguns and not rifles or shotguns. “It is time to act on mail order guns and permit sales only through licensed dealers,” Weltner said.

Egan said, “The problem of gun control will be with us for a long time. The tragedy of Robert Kennedy will not be with us for a long time unless you people make it so. The NRA is a powerful lobby against gun legislation and as soon as any legislation is introduced its members flood legislative bodies with opposing material.”

The representative also said he plans to introduce gun legislation in the General Assembly, but does not expect it to pass. “To pass a stricter gun law will take a lot of enthusiasm and we’ve got an uphill battle.”

Cook said, “The governor has said he will veto any gun measure from the Assembly, but I’d like to see him put to the test. I’ll support stricter gun control legislation.”

Charles Wysong, a member of the Cathedral parish, said he was opposed to stricter legislation. He said the right to possess guns was given by the constitution. “New York City passed a registration law, and knifings increased.”

George Gunning asked Wysong why he objected to gun registration. “Do you register your auto?” Gunning asked. Wysong said, “Yes.” Gunning commented, “Then why not a gun?”

Irvin Robisch, a resident of New York City who was visiting his daughter in Atlanta commented, “I don’t want the politicians to know where all the guns are. When the Germans invaded France they knew where all the guns were because of a registration law. Norway, which was also invaded, did not have a registration law and the Norwegians didn’t turn their guns in.”

Robisch, a member of the NRA, said the organization represents 900,000 gun enthusiasts who are interested citizens not losing their rights to possess guns. I think concealed hand guns should be registered but not rifles or shotguns.”

Egan replied, “The NRA is a very able lobby. Mr. Robisch is an example. He knows what he is talking about. However, NRA is against advanced investigation of those who buy guns because it is supported by gun sellers.”

Bob Milton, another NRA member, said he opposes the legislation because registration could become a means of confiscation, and there could be taxation to get rid of guns. “We don’t need new laws, we need effective enforcement of the 1934 law which makes it illegal for a drug addict, felon etc. to own a gun,” he said.

Milton also cited the case of France after the German invasion. Herb Farnsworth replied, “If I were a member of a fifth column, I’d go to NRA and get your lists of gun owners.”

Mrs. Anna Marie Shinn, a member of the Cathedral, arranged the meeting. She said her feeling of outrage began with the death of President Kennedy and was intensified by the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy. “I’m here tonight to get petitions to send to our two senators.”