SOUTH PORTLAND – Despite continued opposition from city residents, the South Portland City Council voted 6-1 Monday to ban the use and possession of bows and arrows, BB guns, air guns, gas pellet guns, spring guns, slingshots or “any other instrument or weapon made for the purpose of throwing or projecting a missile of any kind in any way whatsoever,” on public property. It does not impact use or possession on private property.

The change to the weapons ordinance came when the city found it was not in compliance with state law. Amending the ordinance to include the additional weaponry came from a request by South Portland Police Chief Edward Goggins.

The ordinance, which was opposed only by Councilor Tom Blake, allows for transportation of bows and arrows, BB guns, air guns, gas pellet guns, spring guns and slingshots from one property to another, from the store to home or from a shooting gallery to home, as long as they are in a closed container. The ordinance does not apply if the weapon is used in self-defense or in law enforcement duties or at authorized shooting galleries.

“This is the lightest possible restriction we could enact and still do what we were requested,” said Mayor Tom Coward. “I think if anyone reads further into this they are reading into something that is not there.”

Blake opposed the ordinance, he said, because it was not something the citizens of South Portland are asking for.

“We need to be in tune with what Americans all across the country are telling their public officials and that is, no new taxes and stop regulating us,” he said.

He wondered where the regulation would stop, asking if children would not be allowed to wear Robin Hood costumes on the city streets for Halloween because it included a toy bow and arrow.

“To me this is about common sense, education, supervision and responsibility,” he said. “All these things mean a lot more than a regulation that I don’t think we can enforce.”

Councilor Rosemarie DeAngelis disagreed, saying it was a safety issue.

“It may not have been asked for by our constituents, but it was asked for by our chief of police,” she said. “We don’t need to hear all these calls about this. I feel Chief Googins is the one fielding the concerns of people on the streets.”