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Supervisor: Somers Police Justified In Pro-Gun Sign Removal

SOMERS, N.Y. – Town officials have determined that the Somers police officer who took a resident’s pro-Second Amendment sign was justified, as both police and town officials have confirmed the sign was on public, town property.

TheBlaze reported Monday night that Jon Gibson, of Lake Lincolndale, was “fed-up after his pro-gun sign was removed from his front yard for a third time.”

TheBlaze reported Monday night that Jon Gibson, of Lake Lincolndale, was “fed-up after his pro-gun sign was removed from his front yard for a third time.”

Photo Credit: Jon Gibson/NYFirearms.com

Lake Lincolndale resident Jon Gibson made national waves earlier this week when he secretly filmed a Somers police officer removing his “Protect The 2nd Amendment” sign from his front yard. After the story was shared by thousands on TheBlaze, the Somers Police Department received hundreds of calls and emails from around the country “threatening to kill officers.”

The initial controversy stemmed from whether or not Gibson’s sign was on his own private property or town property. Somers police and the town’s highway department have officially determined it was indeed on town property, and therefore, not in violation of the Town of Somers code 170-125, which restricts the use of signs on public property. Under this code, the town is not required to officially cite a resident before taking action.

Some residents have asked if that’s the case, why signs for election campaigns and charity events located on town property never get removed. Town Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy said signs are removed following complaints, in addition to scheduled sweeps.

“The police received a complaint about the sign. If a complaint is received, it is addressed,” she told The Daily Voice. “Signs in the right of way are also periodically removed.”

Murphy added that it had nothing to do with what the sign said and that she herself was a supporter of the Second Amendment.

“The town may prohibit the placement of signs on public property,” she said. “It is not content driven. All signs are prohibited.”

According to TheBlaze, Gibson and his attorney, Richard Bombardo, are continuing to refute the claim that the sign was on town property and are still likely to file a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Check back with the The Daily Voice for updates on this story.

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