LiveFreeAndComply.org

Following up on: [Unlawful Firearms Restrictions On The Books In Tamworth].

The volunteer firefighters in town are less than enthusiastic about their firearms rights being suspended whilst being on town property. This would all be a valid discussion if the Town of Tamworth were a private business, who may regulate firearms or anything else on their property as they please, but as a government entity, this position doesn’t apply morally, nor per state law, the latter of which the town government likes to follow some of the time, when it suits them.

The volunteer firefighter’s concern brought to light the clear anti-gun mentality of the town government in Tamworth, of which every hard-working gun-toting good person in Tamworth ought to object to. Below is a bevy of shocking quotes coming out of the most recent Selectmen’s meeting showing utter contempt for firearms possession by peaceful people:

Tamworth Selectman Willie Farnum
“Every time you volunteer, you give up a right…Unfortunately, that’s the way it is.” – Next week, your first amendment rights are on the chopping block. And we’ll just work our way down the list of the Bill of Rights if you’re a really nice person and volunteer a lot.

“If a fireman goes into a situation and he’s got a pistol on his side and decides that I’ve got a pistol on my side and that guy’s in my way and I’m gonna tell him to get out of my way and starts pushing him around and the other guy grabs his pistol, guess who’s going to get sued.” – And if a purple elephant got angry with a flying lemur and prompted the flying lemur’s pet hamster to attack with a gun…guess who’s going to get sued. That’s a bit of a stretch, Willie.

“Our job as Selectmen is to protect the financial interests of this community.” – Might consider reducing spending and lowering taxes a bit then, eh Willie?

“I will not condone firefighters and rescue personnel, unless there is a shown direct cause and reason, why they need to be armed, to be armed while they’re serving the town of Tamworth. If there’s a cause and a reason, let’s address that. If there’s no cause or a reason, they should not have a weapon.” – Apparently Tamworth has now turned into a “may issue” jurisdiction, rather than “shall issue”.

Tamworth Selectman and State Representative John Roberts
“I don’t want them in the station with [their firearm] on, or riding around in the town equipment, the fire trucks or anything, for that matter.” Farnum continues: “Highway equipment, or any equipment. It’s town property.” – And we Selectmen are doing our darndest to keep guns off town property, over which we preside with our infinite wisdom.

“We as the Board of Selectmen are telling them that they are [in violation].” – Alas, the state of New Hampshire begs to differ.

“That weapon could still go off. Even if that body burned, that weapon could go off. We don’t want that to happen, but it could.” – Can’t you just feel the deep concern for the charred remains of the volunteer firefighter?

“If you’re coming down to the station, I would rather you would leave [your firearm] at home.” – We’d really rather you Selectmen stay at home: if you’re not meeting, you’re not getting anything done. And if you’re not getting anything done, good people are getting left alone.

Tamworth Police Chief Dan Poirier
“They have a right to carry a gun, it’s their right. But it’s also a violation of town policy.” – Clearly not much of a right, in Dan’s eyes then, now is it?

“When that weapon discharges…” And yet Dan’s SigSauer made it through the whole meeting without discharging: seems that firearms don’t actually have a mind of their own.

“I’m just giving you my opinion as Police Chief: I don’t want firefighters showing up on scene with a weapon.” – Nice to know the armed representative of our local government has such contempt for peaceful folks being armed.

“There are a lot of your volunteers that, frankly, I would quiver if I saw them carrying a gun.” – This is the most scary quote of the discussion: the Chief of Police has a personal litmus test for firearms possession. Also a pretty offensive statement to the guys and gals volunteering their time.

“I just see it as a huge liability…huuuge liability.” – Ask Dan how many hours of training he and his officers partake in, what rifles they’re issued in their vehicles, and how many training rounds they’re issued every month. Then we can talk about the town’s liability.

Administrative Bureaucrat Cassandra Pearce
“If they’re bringing their firearm in a town building, then they are in violation.” – Thank goodness we’ve got over-paid career bureaucratic secretary Cassandra to keep on top of all the rules.

Hero Of The Meeting, Jim Bowles, Representing The Gun Toting Volunteer Firefighters
“I’m not sure why the town ever adopted [the employee policy prohibiting firearms]. It looks like it came from Massachusetts, if you ask me.”

“Some silly policy that ought not even be in this state; that’s Massachusetts stuff.”

“I think some of the guys will still have a problem giving up their rights, to volunteer.” Farnum: “Every time you volunteer, you give up a right.” Bowles: {sarcasm} “Yeah, thank you, thank you for your time [volunteering].”

Good for you, Jim.