Ridgewood Council Split on Gun Control Resolution

The Ridgewood Board of Education passed a resolution calling on lawmakers to tighten access to guns while increasing funding for education and mental health, but it doesn't appear the votes support a similar measure at the village council.

In a discussion Wednesday night, Mayor Paul Aronsohn and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck supported drafting a gun control resolution modeled after the school board's.

Their colleagues had other ideas.

Similar resolutions and ordinances passed in other towns are having a "serious" impact on law enforcement, said Councilman Tom Riche. According to the councilman, gun manufacturers are indicating that if they're restricted to producing magazines with five or fewer rounds, law enforcement also will be unable to access the weapons. 

"Before we go down that path it's very important that we hear from the law enforcement side of the village to see what kind of impact any kind of statement coming from the governing body is going to have on law enforcement and their ability to not only protect themselves but also the citizens of Ridgewood," he said.

Federal and state law determine the legality of weapons possession and supercede any municipal statutes. In other words, any legislation the council drafts will not have any impact one way or another.

"Personally, I don't think that we should be debating the Second Amendment at the municipal level and I have no interest in doing that whatsoever," Riche said, calling New Jersey's gun control laws among the strictest in the nation. "So I would not be in favor of any resolution."

"I don't think it's just a federal issue," Aronsohn said, responding to Riche's point. "It is a local issue, it's a human issue. It's an issue that affects communities throughout this country."

The mayor offered support for a general resolution that doesn't speak on specific articles of legislation. Hauck also favored such a resolution.

"I noticed there's a phenomenon occurring in the country and I feel like I'd like to be a part of what's happening," said the councilwoman, who said her famiy was "personally affected" by the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli generally supported a gun control resolution, but stressed that if there's not consensus among the council he was not in favor of spending much time on the controversial issue.

Bernadette Walsh agreed with Riche, telling colleagues she wanted more information on the potential impact to the police department.

Aronsohn and Hauck will work on drafting a resolution for future consideration.