NK Man Wearing Camo and Holstered Gun Charged with Carrying Pistol Without a Permit

A 27-year-old North Kingstown man was charged for carrying a pistol without a permit, a felony, on Thursday after police responded to report of an armed camouflaged man who got into a dark sedan outside a Devil‘s Foot Road apartment.

Police said Ralph John Smith Jr., 27, was arrested after a traffic stop on Devils Foot Road just before West Davisville Road at around 11:10 a.m.

Police got a call a short time earlier reporting a man dressed in camouflage clothing with a pistol on his hip carrying a rifle bag. The man, later identified as Smith, got into a dark green Dodge Neon in the parking lot with a female.

Once pulled over, police said they saw a Colt 22 semi-automatic pistol in a black holster on his hip. The gun was unloaded.

In the car, police found a camouflage rifle case in the trunk containing a Ruger 10/22 rifle with grey assault stock. It had a scope, flashlight and sling and was also unloaded.

In the front seat on the floor in a camouflage backpack, police saw three full ten round magazines for the pistol, three full ten round magazines linked together as one for the Ruger, 150 rounds of ammunition for both weapons, 20 shotgun shells and other items, police said.

Police said the backpack was at Smith’s feet while he was in the car and neither gun was broke down in violation of state laws covering guns.

A check showed that Smith did not have a permit to carry a pistol and he was taken into custody without incident.

The woman, who was not carrying any weapons, was released at the scene along with her two small children.

In the police report, police noted that Smith was dressed in ”tan, desert colored military style boots, army surplus digital camoflage pants and a black T-shirt with an AK-47 on it. The T-shirt also read ‘D.A.D.D. Dads against daughters’ dating. . .just shoot one and the word will spread.”

“Due to Smith and [the woman’s] small children being with them at the time, D.C.Y.F> was advised of the complaint,” the report stated.

Smith told police that he was on his way to exeter to the woman’s father’s house to target shoot when he was stopped.

Smith was arraigned and released on $5,000 personal recognizance. He is due to return to court at a later date.