Tiverton council votes to send resolution opposing proposed statewide gun-control bills after public comments

The Tiverton Town Council voted to transmit Resolution 2025-014, opposing proposed Rhode Island 2025 gun-control legislation, after more than an hour of public comment and council discussion.

The resolution was moved by Councilor Craig Camino and seconded (second not specified in the public transcript). Following discussion the council president called the vote and the motion carried; the record in the transcript states “The resolution will be sent off,” but a numerical roll-call tally was not recorded in the meeting minutes included in the transcript.

The council action followed extended public comment both opposing and supporting the state bills. Jay Runcie, owner of Sekonic River Outfitters, told the council, “I am in opposition of this assault weapons ban.” Brian Brietzke, a Tiverton resident, said he supports “gun safety” but argued the bills would “only affect law abiding citizens who own firearms.” Leslie Stewart Simonson, also a resident, said she wants the proposals to be brought forward for debate: “I am in favor of this bill about gun control legislation getting to the point where it can actually be debated.” Maureen Morrow, who identified herself as opposing Resolution 2025-014, told the council she objected to the resolution’s broad language and urged the council not to curtail further legislative debate.

Council discussion reflected the split in public comment. Councilor Camino said he believed the proposed state bills were “poorly written” and broadly characterized many types of firearms as “assault weapons.” Councilor Janek asked whether the council could include an explanatory statement describing why it opposed the bills’ language rather than simply sending a blanket opposition; several councilors voiced similar concerns about wording and local impacts. Council President John Edwards — who presided over the meeting — read aloud that the resolution number is 2025-014 and then called for the vote.

Transcript excerpts show several local businesses and residents expressed economic and cultural concerns about the bills, citing hunting, retail sales and local firearms-related jobs. Opponents warned that broad definitions might criminalize common hunting shotguns or create compliance burdens. Supporters who spoke urged legislative debate and cited public health testimony in favor of restrictions, pointing to precedent in neighboring states.

The council’s resolution will be transmitted to the state. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or a numerical tally; the council’s public records or meeting minutes filed with the town should be consulted for the official vote record and the text of Resolution 2025-014.

For residents wanting to review the full public comments or the council’s resolution, the town clerk’s office posts backup materials and resolutions with meeting packets.