By David Harry
Staff Writer

A “soft” option to amend the South Portland weapons ordinance faced hard opposition at the city council meeting Monday night.
The council by a 6-1 vote gave initial approval to an amendment banning possession and discharge of slingshots, bows and arrows, BB, air or pellet guns in public. It was considered the “soft” option as opposed to another amendment that would have having or using the items outside “authorized shooting galleries.”
The amendment is part of revisions to the city weapons ordinance, a second reading and council vote for both the amendment and ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 4.
Councilor Thomas Blake, who opposed the amendment, made a graphic display of his objections by showing councilors how easily a rubber band can become a slingshot.
“I’ve never really had a person tell me we need to regulate slingshots,” Blake said. He said he wondered if police would have to cite people for carrying a bow to archery practice or classes sponsored by city recreation programs.
South Portland Police Chief Edward Googins said the department has been getting more calls about vandalism and reports of masked men carrying weapons who actually are playing paint ball or other games.
Googins said the department received 33 complaints in 2009, 11 through July this year and received a call Monday night as the council meeting occurred.
“Essentially, I am looking at it as appropriate in the community,” Googins said. “At the very least, they should not be used on public property.”
Councilors Linda Boudreau and Rosemarie De Angelis defended the amendment, and said it actually replaced stricter provisions already on the books in the city.
Boudreau said the amendment follows recommendations of manufacturers guides for air-powered guns that resemble handguns and places stricter regulations in the current firearms ordinance.
If passed, the amendment to the ordinance would lead to civil instead of criminal penalties for violations. Googins promised criminal prosecutions on complaints will be made when warranted.
The Maine Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms will not be questioned, but city attorney Sally Daggett and Lyman resident Norman Hamann cited differing state laws on what constitutes a firearm.
Hamann said he was attending the hearing as a proponent of federal and state rights regarding firearms and said it was unconstitutional to include gas, air-powered, pellet or BB guns in the amendment.
While Daggett’s interpretation of state statutes held sway with councilors, any amendment to the revised firearms ordinance beyond easing current restrictions was unpopular with public speakers.
Jim Hoy, a South Portland resident who said he owns a slingshot and recalled making them in shop classes as a high school student, said any amendment was an unneeded expansion of police powers.
Aaron Bourassa, who grew up in Whitefield before moving to South Portland with his wife, Stephanie Koukos, said he and his friends always had BB guns and his children have BB guns and bows and arrows.
He said backyard target shooting is a family activity and a way to teach proper use of the weapons.
“It is about teaching responsibility,” he said. Koukos told councilors any amendments to the ordinance would affect only law-abiding citizens.
Googins said questions about transportation of the items needed some resolution, but councilors also approved language that allowed items to be carried in cars or in bags or backpacks when walking.
The less stringent amendment that says the ordinance does not affect private property was met with skepticism by city resident John Kierstead.  
“We are a nation drunk with laws, we don’t need another drink,” he said.

Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.