GULFPORT, MS — Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes vetoed a measure that would have required wanding all attendees at city council meetings, calling the practice “inefficient, costly, and perhaps even invasive.”
The veto comes days after the city council narrowly passed two controversial measures: an ordinance banning open and concealed carry firearms in council chambers, except for those with enhanced carry permits, and the now-vetoed contract with Swetman Security to implement wanding at public meetings.
The two council-approved measures aimed to regulate firearms at public meetings more stringently than Gulfport had previously enforced.
- The Firearms Ordinance: The ordinance prohibits open carry and standard concealed carry of firearms in city council chambers, aligning with existing state law. However, those with enhanced concealed carry permits—who are already exempt under state law—are still allowed to carry firearms in these meetings. Supporters of the ordinance argued it formalizes local compliance with state statutes.
- The Wanding Contract: The contract with Swetman Security would have required all attendees at public meetings to undergo wanding by security personnel. Critics argued this was a direct infringement on the rights of enhanced carry permit holders, as it would effectively expose those who were legally carrying concealed firearms.
Council President F.B. “Rusty” Walker, IV, and other opponents labeled the wanding measure as an unnecessary invasion of privacy that undermines the Second and Fourth Amendments. “This isn’t about safety,” Walker said in his earlier statement. “It’s about creating barriers between citizens and their government.”
Mayor Hewes’ Rationale for the Veto
While many expected Hewes to cite constitutional concerns, his reasoning focused instead on the practicality and cost of implementing wanding.
“Without a passive scanning device, the notion of ‘wanding’ every individual who comes through the door is inefficient, costly, and perhaps even invasive,” Hewes stated. “If anything, the use of passive inspection mechanics, such as a magnetometer, would be more effective in determining if attendees are in possession of a weapon.”
Hewes did not comment directly on the constitutional arguments raised by critics but suggested that a magnetometer or similar technology might be a more effective solution for public safety if security measures were deemed necessary.
A Divisive Debate
The measures, particularly the wanding policy, have sparked intense debate among council members and residents alike. The council passed both the firearms ordinance and the Swetman contract in a narrow 4-3 vote, with Council President Walker, Myles Sharp (R), and Kenneth Casey (D) voting against both. The remaining council members, R. Lee Flowers (R), Ron Roland (R), Richard Kosloski (R), and Ella Holmes-Hines (D), voted in favor.
Critics of the wanding policy argued it was redundant given existing state law, which already prohibits most firearms at government meetings unless carried by enhanced permit holders. Walker called it “security theater” and said it could discourage citizen participation in government meetings.
Proponents of the measures, including Councilmembers Flowers and Holmes-Hines, argued the increased security measures would create a safer environment for public meetings. However, even they acknowledged that the policy would impose additional logistical and financial burdens on the city.
The firearms ordinance passed by the council remains in place, aligning Gulfport with existing state law while prohibiting open carry and standard concealed firearms in council chambers. Meanwhile, Mayor Hewes’ veto of the wanding contract eliminates the additional layer of security that supporters had sought to implement.
The council could override Hewes’ veto with a supermajority, though the narrow 4-3 vote suggests that may be unlikely. For now, the debate over balancing public safety and constitutional freedoms continues to ripple through Gulfport, with residents and officials divided on the path forward.
