Once again legislation concerning concealed carry permits (CCW) has been held back by the City Council for revisions.
Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D-Ward 3) began working on this …
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Once again legislation concerning concealed carry permits (CCW) has been held back by the City Council for revisions.
Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D-Ward 3) began working on this legislation about 18 months ago when several of her gun-owning constituents complained about the process and fee for CCW permits, calling them both “out of whack.”
Looking into the issue, she found that Warwick did not have an ordinance concerning CCW and the application procedure was run out of the Department of Public Safety.
When Vella-Wilkinson researched further she said she found some inconsistencies in the line of questioning and felt that there needed to be a more concrete process.
In an interview on Wednesday, she said, “I felt by putting it in writing it would protect the Department of Public Safety and would provide consistent information for our residents on the process of obtaining a concealed carry permit.”
That’s easier said than done. Vella-Wilkinson said she has put in countless hours researching federal and case law in Rhode Island and elsewhere, as well as speaking with gun safety trainers. Input from the trainers as well as the Police Department and Department of Public Safety went into creating the legislation. As an aside, she said the only other piece of legislation she worked harder on is the memorandum for the airport.
“This is a complicated issue and its premise is in the 2nd Amendment. I am a civil rights advocate and I see this as a civil rights issue,” Vella-Wilkinson said.
She believes this is why the legislation can be complicated. She has revised the ordinance several times already.
At Monday night’s City Council meeting she said she wanted to walk through with the other council members the changes she had made. She said she was not expecting first passage with the amount of changes she had made but would be happy to move forward if the council felt comfortable. She said she would rather get it right than look for quick passage. Having a few questions about wording, the council decided to hold off a decision and revisit the legislation until the meeting of April 6.
As a gun owner herself and having grown up with guns and hunting with her family, the Navy veteran said this legislation is of interest to her and she is invested to seeing it through.
The ordinance would require applicants to have a four-hour NRA Firearms Safety Course with classroom and range time.
There was some concern and hope that certified trainers could forego the training, but Vella-Wilkinson said she was uncomfortable giving exceptions of any kind.
“There is no guarantee if we were to give certified trainers an exemption,” she said. “How do we know how legitimate their certification is? They could have just gone online, taken a test and paid some money. Those aren’t the type of people we want with these permits.”
She said trainers seeking a CCW permit should take the course as a “refresher or continuing education.”
Similarly, there was question whether or not veterans could be exempted. Again, she said she was not comfortable.
“I am a veteran myself,” she said. “I retired from service in 1996 and say I have not used a weapon since then. There could be veterans who weren’t trained in gun safety or who haven’t used a weapon in years and they shouldn’t have to forego the training.”
Vella-Wilkinson said four hours of training poses “no undue burden” and can easily be finish it after work or weekends.
Vella-Wilkinson will continue to work on the legislation until April 6’s meeting. She said she hopes to see second passage by May and then move forward.
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The airport expansion was a failure and the only reason why all of the CCW and permit fee issues came to the table in the first place was due to law suits filed against the city as well as individuals from outside the city and inside demanding something be done about all of the CCW denials without explanation. What makes councilman Colantuono and Ladouceur worthy of a CCW and trained, qualified firearms experts are not? Good ole boys club.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Report this
davebarry109
How often is the 4 hr CCW NRA course and range? Once yearly? Once? Does it apply to retired Police?
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Report this
Notbornyesterday
Samuel1677 AKA Stacia.... Why not use your real name... Oh I forgot you don't know what your screen name is.... Full of lies Ms. Mayor/Stacia/SABRINA/samuel1677... I'll keep,the list for you. The people have already seen your lies and incompetence.... Hopefully your not sabatoged this time....
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Report this
StaciaClueless
Samuel aka stacia you want to call out credentials of the councilmen? What are your credentials to be mayor? This city would be better off getting one of the workers from Motel 6 to be the mayor than you. You are clueless. You spew lies and hatred. You are useless to this city. Keep on posting on your page and getting 5 or 6 likes LOL
Friday, March 27, 2015 Report this