Selectman Wants Gun Safety Enforced

Selectman Barry Greenfield introduced an enforcement discussion Wednesday that he hopes will lead to the safeguarding of guns in town — keeping them out of the hands of children.

In school shootings around the country,  guns have been taken from parents and used by kids, he said.

The selectman said state law requires Massachusetts gun owners to keep their firearms locked away or rendered inoperable.

The problem, he said, is that police do not have the authority, granted by a local ordinance, to enforce the law and inspect the safeguarding of guns at the homes of the 600 registered gun owners in town.

The selectman said he has spoken with Swampscott Police Chief Ron Madigan about this.

"We need the ability to enforce the state law," the selectman said. 

Another selectman, Glenn Kessler, said he would like to see all the interested parties including the police chief, the town's legal counsel and citizens talk about the issue before selectmen take action.

There are civil liberty matters to consider, he said.

Selectmen took no action but appeared interested in hosting a discussion on a gun inspection proposal.

Editor's Note: Here are links to statements by the Swampscott town administrator and Barry Greenfield.