Selectmen discuss weapons rules

OTISFIELD — Selectmen say they are unable to prohibit weapons from being carried onto municipal property.

The board took up the question Wednesday after a resident with a concealed weapon permit called the Town Office and asked whether he would be able to take the weapon to a selectmen meeting. Chairman Hal Ferguson said the town determined after consulting with the Maine Municipal Association that the town can only restrict its employees from carrying concealed weapons.

Ferguson said he has a concealed weapon permit but does not carry a firearm to selectmen meetings, church or more populated locations. It is "common sense" not to do so, he said, adding that there are more places he doesn't carry a concealed weapon than places he does.

"It makes me wonder why somebody would ask that question," Ferguson said.

Selectman Rick Micklon said the person who asked the question is not a town employee. The board at a later date will address the question of a town policy on employees carrying concealed weapons. Selectmen would "err on the side of safety" during public meetings, he said.

"If at any time we have a public meeting in the town of Otisfield, including a selectmen meeting, and any of us feel threatened, we'll adjourn the meeting immediately and vacate the building," he said.

Micklon questioned whether the town would consider allowing the Town Office to be used as a classroom or off-site location for probate court, which would create more stringent weapons restrictions there. No decision was made on that matter.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com