More towns consider becoming “second amendment sanctuaries”

EXETER, R.I. (WLNE) — Should towns that oppose gun control laws be able to declare themselves second amendment sanctuaries?

The Burrillville town council says yes, and now State Senator Elaine Morgan is encouraging towns in her district to do the same.

The Republican said in a statement, “It is with substantial consideration that I bring forth this matter of discussion based on stabilizing our jurisdictions’ ability to uphold and defend our 2nd amendment rights.”

Governor Raimondo says it’s happening in anticipation of her upcoming gun control legislation.

“These are responsible, common sense laws designed to keep our friends, families, and school children safe,” said Raimondo, a Democrat. “If those laws pass, I expect every single city and town to follow the law.”

Exeter is one of the towns in Morgan’s district, and home to Pine Ridge shooting range.

Some customers here concerned about gun control laws.

“I think there is a threat. Probably because a lot of people have been opening up their eyes to all this, to the guns,” said Colby Vinacco of Warwick. “And people think they’re bad. And just by the look of it, it could be deceiving to other people. But I feel like if a lot of people were educated about it, it would be a lot different.”

Another customer, Adam Matuszek of North Kingstown, says he does support some forms of gun control but also the second amendment sanctuary idea.

“Unless you live there and grew up there, you don’t really know how it is,” said Matuszek. “If they vote for it, I’d support it.”

But he says it’s more about making a political statement in response to sanctuary cities for immigration.

“To prove the hypocrisy, I guess of them saying, ‘Ok, you can do that, but I can’t do this?'” he said. “It makes a statement.”

Charlestown, Hopkinton, Richmond, and West Greenwich are the other towns in Senator Morgan’s district.

Glocester is also considering the issue this month.

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