WOODSTOCK — Woodstock will hold its annual town meeting April 26, selectmen decided last week.

Like last year, the meeting will take place outside the town office in a drive-in style, but likely with more chairs set up if weather permits, according to Town Manager Vern Maxfield.

One of the articles voters will consider comes at the request of resident Bob Carey, who asked for a vote on a resolution making Woodstock a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” town, according to town officials.  Such a proposal has been made and accepted in some municipalities across the country. The theme is that the municipalities will not devote resources to enforce gun laws that the resolution supporters say are not constitutional.

Woodstock selectboard Chairman Ron Deegan noted that the resolutions “have no teeth,” and that changes to gun laws can only be made through legislation.

Selectman Shawn Coffin said that in some other places a resolution has meant the local sheriff will not enforce federal mandates on guns.

The selectmen agreed that the question should go to voters and not be decided by the board.
The wording of the proposed resolution states the town would “provide sanctuary from law enforcement attempts to enforce any and all state and federal mandates and restricted laws enacted that would violate the original intent of protections given individuals under the United States Constitution as well as the State of Maine Constitution that states ‘shall never be questioned.'”