Stamford Ordinance Would Ban Guns, Bombs From Government Buildings & Polling Places

STAMFORD, CT — The city of Stamford could soon have a new ordinance in place that would prohibit the open and concealed possession of guns and explosives in government buildings, polling places on Election Day and within 500 feet of a ballot drop box.

The ordinance was approved by the Board of Reps. Public Safety and Health Committee last week, and will now move on to the full board.

Stamford's Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare Lou DeRubeis said the idea for the ordinance came after the city was reviewing its physical security and standard operating procedures at government buildings.

"We kind of identified this as a gap in vulnerability in our current practices. We felt that by working with the operations department and the legal department in forming this ordinance, we think as a municipality we would be taking a step in the right direction to make sure that our city employees and or residents are safe when around our municipal buildings," DeRubeis said.

According to attorney Dana Lee, assistant corporation counsel for the city of Stamford, anyone in violation of the ordinance would be asked to leave the premises.

If that person refuses, they may be subject to criminal penalties including criminal trespassing and a fine of $250, the highest fine that a municipality can enforce under state statute, Lee said.

"We might want to ask our state legislators to either criminalize it everywhere, or at least permit municipalities to make it a crime," suggested Rep. Phil Berns (D-16).

Berns mentioned a recent ruling by the Supreme Court which struck down a New York law that prohibited the concealed carry of weapons anywhere within city limits. He asked how the ordinance would work given the court's ruling.

The court held that municipalities and states have the ability to prohibit and restrict firearms in "sensitive places," and government buildings and polling places fall into that category, Lee said.

"Based on that language, I think most legal scholars and attorneys have opined that a prohibition in a government building or in a polling place is not prohibited by the Second Amendment," Lee added.

There are some exceptions to the ordinance, Lee explained.

Working law enforcement officers, working security guards, military personnel engaged in official duties are exempt, and etired law enforcement officers with proper credentials are exempt.

An amendment was made to the ordinance to specify that retired law enforcement officers "in good standing" with proper credentials and identification would be exempt.

Additionally, the ordinance would not apply to the lawful storage of a gun in a car.

Rep. Virgil de la Cruz asked why there was a need to include exemptions in the ordinance. He felt it would "open Pandora's box."

Rep. Jeffrey Stella (D-9), a former New York City Police detective, said he believed the exemptions would allow for more protection at government buildings and polling places.

"If something does happen, I think most retired law enforcement, though retired, are going to step in and do what they have to do to protect the public," he said.

The ordinance requires a notice of the prohibition to be posted. DeRubeis said if the ordinance passes, it's the city's intention to get signage up as soon as possible.

"If the signage isn't up, you can't enforce it anyway," DeRubeis said.