Councilwoman Loretta Smith of Portland is advocating for a city ordinance to allow council members to openly carry firearms during official duties. This push follows a disruptive protest at a City Council meeting by the group “Revoke ICE Permit PDX,” which interrupted proceedings and aimed to gather support for shutting down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During the protest, Susan Anglada Bartley presented a petition with 19,000 signatures before being forcibly removed and arrested, a situation that distressed Smith.
Smith, who has never carried a firearm, feels it’s necessary for self-defense, particularly as a woman of color facing increasing aggression from protesters. Former City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty experienced threats serious enough to require bulletproof glass for her office.
While Portland permits concealed firearms with a license, openly carrying loaded firearms is mostly prohibited. Smith’s proposal, currently under legal review, has drawn criticism, with opponents arguing that it undermines citizens’ rights to protest. City Council President Jamie Dunphy emphasized the need for safety without stifling constitutional rights, while Mayor Keith Wilson expressed support for addressing safety concerns amid rising protests. The police reported that about 26 officers were present at the protest, which concluded without injuries.
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