Easing gun ban backed by panel (Rhode Island)

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Easing gun ban backed by panel State legislators with police experience would be permitted to carry firearms in the State House under the recommendation. Top RI News stories: Cardinal Law: Past cases of abuse must be reported Pride shines from Steelers fans Lane change for old bridge Mothers plead to keep aid Redistricting plan may get alterations MORE... BY EDWARD FITZPATRICK Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE -- State legislators who are police officers or retired police officers would be allowed to continue carrying their guns in the State House under a recommendation approved by the Joint Commission on Capitol Security last night. Everybody else, including members of the public with concealed-weapon permits, would have to turn in their guns, which would be kept in lockers until they leave the State House. That recommendation is expected to become the new policy because Governor Almond's administration has asked the commission for its guidance on the issue, said Rep. Joseph A. Trillo, the commission chairman. Originally, the administration had proposed that only on-duty, uniformed police officers be allowed to carry guns in the building as part of a new security plan that includes metal detectors. But some legislators objected, and the administration said it wasn't clear who has authority over the policy. So that set the stage for last night's meeting. The commission voted 8 to 1 for a State House gun ban that makes an exception for the seven representatives and two senators who are current or retired police officers. State Police Maj. Michael P. Quinn cast the dissenting vote, saying that if Rhode Island wants to achieve the maximum level of State House security, only on-duty officers in uniform should be carrying weapons. Capitol Police Chief Stephen G. Tocco, who had originally agreed with that stance, voted in favor of the proposal. After the meeting, he said, "I am trying to be responsible, realistic and reasonable. The active officers who are legislators have a strong point that they will be an asset if a situation arises." Sen. Michael J. Damiani, a retired police officer who carries a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol in the Senate chamber, was among the commission members who voted for the new policy, calling it "a good compromise." At one point in the meeting, Damiani pulled out a sharpened piece of high-impact plastic. Weapons such as that could get by metal detectors, he said, arguing that it therefore makes sense to have more armed retired or current police officers in the building. "What's more dangerous -- a trained professional with a .45 or a lunatic with a piece of Lexan who could stab you in the head 50 times before the point gets dull?" Damiani asked. In response, Quinn said, "A number of scenarios can be eliminated by having people go through metal detectors. We'll never eliminate all the possibilities for someone who wants to commit violence. But we can eliminate some possibilities, and I don't know how you achieve that [with the recommended gun policy]." Quinn said police officers have to give up their guns when they enter federal courthouses, and only the officers given the authority over those buildings are allowed to carry weapons. Trillo, R-Warwick, said the State House isn't like a courthouse. The State House has 44 windows and 24 doors at ground level, he said, and it's much easier to get a gun into the building. "If it were a sterile environment, I'd agree no one should carry a weapon, but it's not," Trillo said. "We don't want to disarm the good guys when we haven't prohibited the bad guys from getting in the building." Administration officials have said they are concerned about "friendly fire" episodes if Capitol Police can't tell the good guys from the bad guys. Trillo proposed that legislator/police officers be given brightly colored fabric straps, which they could throw over their shoulders before pulling out their weapons. Other commission members suggested those legislators wear badges. But Quinn said that if someone is in a "combat position," that might prevent other officers from seeing a badge. And other commission members said that if shooting did begin, officers might not have time to sling straps over their shoulders. Damiani, D-East Providence, proposed expanding the gun-ban exception to include anyone with a concealed-weapon permit. The commission rejected that idea, with Damiani casting the only "yes" vote. Rep. Todd R. Brien, D-Woonsocket, a police sergeant, opposed the idea, saying, "That would defeat the whole purpose of what we are trying to do here." Tocco agreed with Brien, saying, "We can't make it into the Wild, Wild West, the OK Corral. If we are going to do that, why have metal detectors?" http://www.projo.com/report/html/06919411.htm