Hopkinton Declared Second Amendment Sanctuary Town

HOPKINTON, RI — A second Rhode Island town has declared itself a "Second Amendment Sanctuary Town." Hopkinton joined Burrillville on Monday night, approving a resolution to assure citizen's gun rights and that allows local police to use "sound discretion" when enforcing the state's gun laws. The resolution was encouraged by Senator Elaine Morgan, who called for all of her constituents in Richmond, Charlestown, Hopkinton and Exeter to do so.

The Hopkinton Town Council approved the resolution at Monday night's meeting, passing it by a vote of three to two. President Frank Landolfini, Vice President Scott Bill Hirst and Sylvia Thompson were in favor, while Barbara Capalbo and Sharon Davis were in opposition. It is the second town to do so, following Burrillville, who passed a similar resolution on April 24. Glocester is poised to become the third, with a vote scheduled for a similar proposal on May 16.

Landolfini said that he planned to take a "wait and see" approach, but after Burrillville passed a similar policy and Sen. Morgan and community members called for action in Hopkinton, he made it a priority.

"Being an avid gun owner myself, it was very easy for me to accept," Landolfini said. "There's been a lot of support in our area."

The council chambers has a maximum capacity of 73 people, which forced the council to limit testimony to town residents only. Of the large crowd that turned out, Landolfini said the vast majority were in favor of the resolution, with only "three or four" people speaking out in opposition.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Palmer was in attendance as well, saying only that it was a town council matter when asked where he stood.

"This resolution doesn't supersede state law, and the police will do what they have to do to follow that law," Landolfini said. "But it does send a message to the governor and state legislature that they can't just monkey around with our rights."

Capalbo, meanwhile, said she opposed the resolution because it was passed to quickly and is a symbolic gesture that cannot be enforced.

"Hopkinton firmly supports law-abiding gun users," Capalbo said, adding that hunting and sport shooting are an important part of the town's culture. "But this has no sustenance. You can't ask the law enforcement to disobey state and federal laws."

In addition, she believes the resolution's language is far too broad, feeding into divisive viewpoints rather than focusing on compromise.

"Nothing is black and white," Capalbo continued. "Both sides are perfectly valid, and I respect them."

Capalbo believes the issue is better left up to state and federal lawmakers, who she believes need to work together, listening to both sides to ensure everyone's concerns are addressed.

"I don't believe anyone is taking guns away from law-abiding citizens," she concluded.

The resolution references both the U.S. and Rhode Island Constitutions, as well as several U.S. Supreme Court cases affirming the right to "keep and bear arms."

"The Hopkinton Town Council affirms its support for the Hopkinton Police Department to exercise sound discretion when enforcing laws impacting the rights of citizens under the second amendment," the resolution reads in part.

Sen. Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Hopkinton, Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond, West Greenwich) called for all of her constituent towns to pass similar resolution, saying it is the town's duty to protect citizen's constitutional rights.

"I swore an oath when taking office to protect and uphold our Constitution from any infringements. 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," Sen. Morgan wrote in a letter to town councils. "An abundance of states, counties, cities, and towns across the United States have declared themselves 'Second Amendment Sanctuaries' which means any gun-control laws that infringe upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms will not be enforced."

Morgan continued that since Rhode Island is one of the top five states where firearm injuries are least likely, it's important to put rights first.

"It is imperative that these five historic towns as well as our local Police Departments and Town Council members work together in preserving and maintaining our freedom and constitutional rights," Sen. Morgan said. "We must enforce the legislation currently on the books."

The full resolution can be read here.