Westerly council adopts amended resolution opposing multiple Rhode Island gun bills

The Westerly Town Council on April 20 adopted an amended resolution opposing several Rhode Island bills related to the Second Amendment after debating whether to suspend meeting rules to act immediately.

The substitute resolution — labeled "sub A" and presented to clarify that identical language in companion Senate measures was included — passed on a voice vote and the final resolution passed 7–0. President Duhamel clarified that the council could not adopt the original resolution without suspending rules, prompting the move to substitute and vote.

Morris Devine, a resident who spoke in public comment, urged the council to adopt the substitute and warned the bills would be "economically divisive" and restrict residents' options for self-defense. He told the council, "I urge you to adopt the sub A this evening." John Gagne, another commenter, had earlier warned against routine rule suspensions and said emergency exceptions should be limited so the public has time to weigh in.

Supporters on the council framed the vote as an expression of the town's position and a message to state legislators. Councilors debated whether the bills were effectively dead this session or whether the resolution should serve as a statement for future legislative cycles; one councilor said including Senate language reduced confusion about which measures the town opposed.

The council did not appropriate funds or change local law; the action was a formal statement by the elected body. The vote was recorded as 7–0 in favor of the amended resolution; the council voted earlier to suspend rules only for the purpose of considering the item that evening.

The council moved on to other business after the vote; the resolution and the substitute text were entered into the meeting record.