HARPSWELL

Questions about whether its firearms ordinance is being followed — or enforced — have Harpswell selectmen considering an update to its nearly 20-year-old regulations.

The town’s current ordinance only allows the discharge of certain types of firearms: Shotguns, rimfire arms and black powder guns.

“There’s certainly been a lot of shooting in town that’s other than that,” said Selectman David I. Chipman last week.

Selectman Kevin Johnson suggested that if the current ordinance was properly enforced, it might be satisfactory to address any complaints.

Chipman also noted that the 20-year-old ordinance had ambiguous language that should be clarified to remove any confusion about what activities are and are not allowed in the town.

According to a memo from Town Administrator Kristi Eiane, there have been recent questions about the enforceability of parts of the ordinance. She recommended selectmen appoint a staff work group to review and update the language of the ordinance for clarity and enforceability.

The memo noted that municipalities are limited in what they can regulate at the local level. For instance, while the current town ordinance regulates what types of firearms can be discharged, it says nothing about ownership.

“We’re not trying to take your guns away,” noted Chipman.

Like many Maine towns, Harpswell has a longstanding gun culture.

“Ninety percent of the houses in Harpswell have a gun in them,” said Johnson.

Selectmen didn’t express much interest in changing or adding to the ordinance beyond tightening up the language and ensuring that it’s enforceable.

They unanimously voted in favor of having the staff form a group to review and update the language in the ordinance before bringing it back to them for consideration.

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