Have Gun Need Permit: Georgia Man Charged with Felony for Packing in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, RI—Police arrested Timothy Smith, 45, of Cohutta, Ga., on Friday at 3:50 p.m. at the Ramada Inn. He was charged with possessing/ concealing a handgun without a permit, which is a felony.

According to the arrest report, Smith, who is a truck driver, was making a delivery at the naval base. He informed the sentry that he carrying a gun and was told the firearm would have to be secured in the armory until Smith left the base. Police said "for some unknown reason," the armory could not take the gun, so he accepted a ride from another delivery person, who was staying at the Ramada Inn. That person allowed Smith to store the gun in his room and also drove him back to the base. After completing the work at the base, they returned to the Ramada, so Smith could pick up his firearm. He retrieved the gun. Then, they were going to drive to Smith's tractor trailer, which was parked at the Home Depot.

However, as Smith was loading the gun in the front seat, it accidentally discharged. The round went through the dash, struck some metal and went into the floor on the passenger side.

Smith said he has nerve damage from a back injury and has lost some dexterity. That combined with carelessness was why the gun went off accidentally, he told police.

The vehicle owner had called police and said the car was disabled.

Police charged Smith with carrying a pistol without a license, Although he presented a Georgia weapons carry license, the paperwork is not honored in Rhode Island, police alleged.