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Residents urge Smithfield council to discuss and oppose proposed state assault-weapons ban
Summary
Several residents asked the Town Council to consider passing a resolution opposing a proposed state assault-weapons ban and to bring the topic before the council for public discussion, citing storage and fiscal concerns if the law passes.
During the public-comment period, multiple Smithfield residents urged the Town Council to place consideration of a proposed state assault-weapons ban on a future agenda and to adopt a formal resolution opposing the measure.
Dan Kiesler, a 16-year Smithfield resident and representative of Parabellum Provisions, described potential municipal costs and liabilities associated with collecting, cataloging and storing firearms if such a ban were enacted and later overturned. He told the council the town could face responsibilities for climate-controlled storage and potential litigation over returning firearms in the condition received.
Other speakers, including Joe Varon, Jeff Gross and Glenn Gresco, urged the council to join other towns that have passed resolutions opposing the proposed ban; the meeting record shows at least 13 towns had adopted similar resolutions as of the prior night. Speakers framed their requests on constitutional and fiscal grounds and left printed materials with the clerk.
Council members did not take formal action during the meeting, but one council member invited the matter to be put on a future agenda for discussion.
