City gun law stirs new controversy

Talk about a possible mandatory gun storage law in the City of Poughkeepsie ended in a shouting match, for now.

Councilman Joe Rich, D-2nd Ward, said he felt attacked at the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council meeting on June 15 by members from the Dutchess County chapter of the Shooter Committee On Political Education and supporters of the National Rifle Association, after SCOPE gave a presentation against the council’s proposed ordinance for mandatory storage of firearms. The proposal would require gun owners to lock up firearms in the City of Poughkeepsie.

“I didn’t mean to lose my temper, but felt it was abusive for them to come there in large numbers, wearing their shirts,” Rich said. “They were accusing us of taking their second amendment rights. I got upset, so I stood up — I don’t have to be intimidated by outside organizations like that.”

Dutchess County SCOPE First Chair Jacqueline Emslie and Chapter President Christopher Zaleski gave a presentation during the meeting. Emslie, who is a gun owner and resident of the City of Poughkeepsie, said other SCOPE members from the City of Poughkeepsie were in attendance.

“We came to give information and present to the council, so they can make an informed decision if it does come up for a vote,” she said. “My whole goal was to give the council a resident gun owners’ perspective. This will have a negative effect on gun owners.”

Rich said Councilwomen ShaRon McClinton first brought forth the idea to look further into requiring gun owners to keep their weapons locked up. The council has been discussing the concept “for a number of weeks” and investigating how successful the same mandate has been in comparable cities like Buffalo, Rich said.

“It’s not even in a document yet,” he said. “I was stunned. We’re simply looking at this mundane law that most people are doing already, and 30 people that are not city residents show up and are grimly determined to stop it.”

According to Emslie and Zaleski, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence previously gave a presentation to the council. Councilman Lee David Klein suggested SCOPE’s attendance would be helpful in establishing each side to the possible proposal, Zaleski said. Klein asked the group to give a presentation, Zaleski said.

The ordinance would make mandatory gun storage “a blanket policy for everyone under all circumstances,” which could be detrimental in a number of situations, Emslie said.

Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkee.gannett.com; 845-437-4809; Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo