Plymouth Select Board Debates Opting Town Properties Out of New State Gun Law
Police chief cites security concerns while board members express differing views on allowing firearms in municipal buildings
PLYMOUTH - February 25 - The Plymouth Select Board voted 3-2 Tuesday to place an article on the special town meeting warrant that would exempt municipal buildings and properties from a new state law prohibiting firearms in those locations.
Police Chief Dana Flynn presented the proposal, explaining that a law passed by the state legislature in July 2024 and enacted through an emergency preamble in October now prohibits firearms in all municipal buildings and properties, even for lawfully licensed gun owners.
"Under the new definition of prohibited area, the legislature and the Governor, through their signature, unilaterally named all municipal buildings and properties and land as prohibited areas for the possession of firearms, loaded or unloaded," Flynn says.
The law includes a provision allowing towns to opt out through a vote of their local legislative body. If approved at town meeting, the exemption would allow licensed gun owners to carry firearms in town buildings and on town properties.
Flynn cites security concerns as his primary motivation for bringing the proposal forward.
"When I first saw this portion of the bill, a couple of concerns I had is number one, the constitutional rights of the lawfully licensed persons. But number two, unilaterally named all municipal buildings and parks as gun-free zones. And in my profession, soft targets," Flynn says.
Board members expressed sharply divided opinions on the proposal.
Select Board Chair Richard Quintal voiced strong support for the police chief's recommendation.
"The Town of Plymouth pays you to make these decisions. You're educated. If you're asking me to support this, I definitely will, Chief," Quintal says.
Board member Charlie Bletzer also supported the measure, noting that the law would disarm town employees and officials while doing nothing to prevent someone with ill intent from bringing a weapon into a municipal building.
"What you're saying is if we adhere to what the state wants, nobody in this building can have a gun. No employee," Bletzer says.
Flynn confirmed that only active and retired law enforcement would be exempt under the state law.
Board members Kevin Canty and David Golden strongly opposed the measure, expressing concerns about relying on armed civilians for security.
"We are not protecting the public. We are expecting other people to protect the public. We are expecting what amounts to a vigilante to protect the public," Golden says.
Canty questioned the public benefit of opting out of the law and raised concerns about potential dangers from armed civilians responding to an active shooter situation.
"Most gun and firearm accidents and injuries happen by people that own and possess those weapons, so that tends to make me think that although many people like owning guns, not many people like using them and knowing how to use them responsibly, particularly in what would be called a combat situation," Canty says.
Flynn notes that Rochester is the only other community that has adopted a similar exemption so far, though other police chiefs are exploring the option. He also mentions that there are currently three lawsuits challenging the state law.
The board ultimately voted 3-2 to place the article on the special town meeting warrant, with Quintal, Bletzer, and John Mahoney voting in favor, and Canty and Golden opposed.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi clarified that the article language would need to be amended to specifically include "municipal administrative buildings and town properties" to ensure all town-owned lands would be covered by the exemption.
Flynn notes that prior to the new law taking effect in October, there had never been an issue with licensed gun owners carrying in municipal buildings during his 28 years as a police officer.
"I've been a police officer for 28 years, I've moved four boards prior, and not one board has brought up the concern of lawfully licensed gun holders being in a public building or being in a public park," Flynn says.
In other business, the Select Board:
- Unanimously approved Memorial Hall's new loyalty pricing policy and ticket restoration fee to help fund maintenance of the facility
- Voted to approve several capital improvement projects for the special town meeting warrant, including culvert replacements in Morton Park and repairs to Jenney Pond Dam
- Approved the establishment of a cruise ship revolving fund to support costs associated with cruise ships visiting Plymouth
- Voted to take six parcels of land by eminent domain as part of the Full Sail project
- Heard a presentation on the Pilgrim 1600-acre site planning process, which is examining potential future uses for the land around the former nuclear power plant
Town Manager Brindisi also announced that Eversource plans to decrease utility bills by 10 percent in the coming months, and an energy forum will be held at Plymouth North High School on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. with representatives from the Department of Public Utilities and Eversource.