Ashland officer who had gun permit pulled could get it back
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By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 08, 2009 @ 11:59 PM
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Under a new state law, Ashland Police Officer Ed Pomponio could apply for a new firearms license from his chief, Scott Rohmer.
Pomponio, a Milford resident, had his license to carry a personal firearm revoked by his former boss, Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin, this week after the chief cited numerous alleged threats and harassment incidents against another cop.
Pomponio is permitted to carry his "service firearm," which was issued to him when he joined the Ashland Police Department last March, at any time, anywhere in the state.
A state law amended in July allows police chiefs to issue a license to "any law enforcement officer employed by the licensing authority." Previously, chiefs were only allowed to issue permits to town residents and individuals who own a business in town.
When asked if he would consider applying for a license from Rohmer, Pomponio said, "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Rohmer said yesterday he is researching the state laws about the revocation and reissuing of gun permits.
If Pomponio applies for a license in Ashland, Rohmer said he is unsure how he would react.
"He has not yet, and if he applied, I don't know what the outcome would be," Rohmer said.
Pomponio turned over his permit to Rohmer Tuesday after O'Loughlin revoked his right to carry his personal gun. A former Milford cop, Pomponio resigned from the Milford force in 2005 after being accused of having an extramarital affair while on duty.
Since that time, O'Loughlin has counted 16 incidents involving Pomponio, including one where he threatened a Milford officer and swore at a lieutenant.
"It reached a point where enough is just enough," O'Loughlin said in an interview Wednesday. "I question his suitability to be licensed to carry firearms, and I was the licensing authority."
Pomponio has denied the allegations saying he has been "painted as some type of monster and (he's) really not."
As of yesterday, the chief said Pomponio is carrying his weapon while "on badge" in Ashland and then securing it at the police station before returning home.
If he determines Pomponio can legally bring his gun home as all other officers do, Rohmer said he would "absolutely" allow it.
"I would let him bring it home ... absolutely," Rohmer said.
Local police chiefs have the authority to require officers to hold individual gun permits in addition to the state law which authorizes officers to carry firearms.
In Franklin, officers are required to apply for and obtain a personal firearms license through the state. A few years ago, a Franklin Police officer was unable to obtain a permit through the state and consequently lost his job in the department, O'Loughlin recalled.
Franklin Police Chief Stephen Williams could not be reached for comment yesterday.
In towns such as Ashland and Milford, officers are not required to obtain a separate firearms license.
"Most officers have their license, but some don't," O'Loughlin said, adding the desire to obtain a license to carry is a matter of personal preference.
Pomponio said he plans to file for a judicial hearing in Milford District Court within 90 days.
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/a...un-permit-pulled-could-get-it-back?view=print
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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this
material is distributed without profit or payment to those who
have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more
information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 08, 2009 @ 11:59 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under a new state law, Ashland Police Officer Ed Pomponio could apply for a new firearms license from his chief, Scott Rohmer.
Pomponio, a Milford resident, had his license to carry a personal firearm revoked by his former boss, Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin, this week after the chief cited numerous alleged threats and harassment incidents against another cop.
Pomponio is permitted to carry his "service firearm," which was issued to him when he joined the Ashland Police Department last March, at any time, anywhere in the state.
A state law amended in July allows police chiefs to issue a license to "any law enforcement officer employed by the licensing authority." Previously, chiefs were only allowed to issue permits to town residents and individuals who own a business in town.
When asked if he would consider applying for a license from Rohmer, Pomponio said, "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Rohmer said yesterday he is researching the state laws about the revocation and reissuing of gun permits.
If Pomponio applies for a license in Ashland, Rohmer said he is unsure how he would react.
"He has not yet, and if he applied, I don't know what the outcome would be," Rohmer said.
Pomponio turned over his permit to Rohmer Tuesday after O'Loughlin revoked his right to carry his personal gun. A former Milford cop, Pomponio resigned from the Milford force in 2005 after being accused of having an extramarital affair while on duty.
Since that time, O'Loughlin has counted 16 incidents involving Pomponio, including one where he threatened a Milford officer and swore at a lieutenant.
"It reached a point where enough is just enough," O'Loughlin said in an interview Wednesday. "I question his suitability to be licensed to carry firearms, and I was the licensing authority."
Pomponio has denied the allegations saying he has been "painted as some type of monster and (he's) really not."
As of yesterday, the chief said Pomponio is carrying his weapon while "on badge" in Ashland and then securing it at the police station before returning home.
If he determines Pomponio can legally bring his gun home as all other officers do, Rohmer said he would "absolutely" allow it.
"I would let him bring it home ... absolutely," Rohmer said.
Local police chiefs have the authority to require officers to hold individual gun permits in addition to the state law which authorizes officers to carry firearms.
In Franklin, officers are required to apply for and obtain a personal firearms license through the state. A few years ago, a Franklin Police officer was unable to obtain a permit through the state and consequently lost his job in the department, O'Loughlin recalled.
Franklin Police Chief Stephen Williams could not be reached for comment yesterday.
In towns such as Ashland and Milford, officers are not required to obtain a separate firearms license.
"Most officers have their license, but some don't," O'Loughlin said, adding the desire to obtain a license to carry is a matter of personal preference.
Pomponio said he plans to file for a judicial hearing in Milford District Court within 90 days.
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/a...un-permit-pulled-could-get-it-back?view=print
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this
material is distributed without profit or payment to those who
have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more
information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *