Poughkeepsie Council Meeting Turns Into Shouting Match [Video]

A council meeting in the City of Poughkeepsie was adjourned after a debate over a new gun law turned into an epic shouting match.

According to YouTube user Mert Melfa, The Dutchess County chapter of the Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) attended the Poughkeepsie City Council meeting to make a presentation about responsible gun ownership.

The presentation was part of a debate on a proposed ordinance that would require owners of firearms, rifles, shotguns or air guns to follow new storage laws

Councilman Joe Rich, who is a proponent of the firearms storage bill, questioned the intentions of the presenters claiming that they did not care about the safety of the citizens of Poughkeepsie. A calm debate turned into chaos after a resident is heard off-camera defending the presenter.

Rich turns to the resident and tells him to "shut up" because he was not recognized to talk at the meeting. The councilman then describes his frustration in being interrupted after listening to others talk since 5pm. Other council members ask for a recess, and after the exchange between Rich and the rest of the audience becomes even more heated the council decides to adjourn.

You can watch the entire exchange below. The blow up happens right before the 4-minute mark: