BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With a few duty gun sales recently approved by Bethlehem City Council for purchase by retiring police officers, another vote last week led to a broader discussion.
- Bethlehem City Council voted 4-1, approving the sale of a city-issued handgun to a retiring BPD officer
- The one dissenting member raised concerns about community gun violence among children
- One resident said a unanimous vote of approval 'reflects the will of the people'
Council voted 4-1 to allow a retiring officer to buy his duty handgun “as is” at fair market value: $300. In this particular case, the handgun was a Glock 19.
Council member Hillary Kwiatek was the lone opposing vote.
Council members Paige Van Wirt and Grace Crampsie Smith were on vacation during Tuesday's meeting, but they have voted in favor of similar gun sales in the past.
The officer, Sgt. Sean Conley, had served the Bethlehem Police Department for 21 years.
“As in many police departments across the country, and as in the past, retiring police officers were able to purchase their used duty weapon upon retiring honorably,” Police Chief Michelle Kott wrote in a July 5 memo to City Council President Michael Colón. “Officers purchase their duty firearm at a fair market value and according to Third Class City Code regulations.”
According to city code, “[n]o personal property of the city shall be disposed of, by sale or otherwise, except upon approval of council by resolution.”
Public, council commentary
During the public comment period, city resident Stephen Antalics said that a unanimous vote in support of the weapon sale “reflects the will of the people.” At past meetings with similar votes under consideration, he’s said that the sales would benefit public safety.
“We’re all free as private citizens to have personal opinions, but a citizen voted to public office by the public and that sits behind that table becomes a public servant — and their priorities change. Public welfare becomes prime, while their private views now become secondary.”Stephen Antalics, Bethlehem resident
“We’re all free as private citizens to have personal opinions, but a citizen voted to public office by the public and that sits behind that table becomes a public servant — and their priorities change,” Antalics said. “Public welfare becomes prime, while their private views now become secondary.”
Kwiatek shared some statistics surrounding gun deaths around the country, stating that they’re the leading cause of death in children and teens, passing car accidents in 2020. She said that five children out of every 100,000 were killed by a gun in 2021, referencing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I do know that one of the things we can vote on, [the] one time that I have a vote where I can do something about the prevalence of firearms in our society — and the fact that no other comparable country has this kind of rate of child killing by firearms — is in these votes. And so I will continue to vote no.”Hillary Kwiatek, Bethlehem City Council member
She added that while she didn’t know of any statistics regarding the safety of retired officers when gaining possession of their service weapons, she felt her vote was making a positive difference for community safety as a whole.
“I do know that one of the things we can vote on, [the] one time that I have a vote where I can do something about the prevalence of firearms in our society — and the fact that no other comparable country has this kind of rate of child killing by firearms — is in these votes,” Kwiatek said. “And so I will continue to vote no.”
Council member Rachel Leon said first responders and military members tend to view and handle their weapons in a responsible manner. But those same people can oftentimes struggle with suicidal thoughts due to the nature of their jobs, she added.
Kwiatek responded, saying that if the gun wasn’t a part of those situations, then maybe deaths could be prevented.
“Such sale is the most economical method for proceeding in light of the risks of selling weapons and the costs and delays of performing and managing the results of background checks on any potential buyer.”Resolution voted on by Bethlehem City Council
Within the resolution voted on by council is some context surrounding the city’s official view on the transaction: “Such sale is the most economical method for proceeding in light of the risks of selling weapons and the costs and delays of performing and managing the results of background checks on any potential buyer.”
Council member Keira Wilhelm said that unless the rule has changed, the handgun would be put up for sale if officials chose not to allow the officer to buy it.
Kwiatek recommended some legal thought be placed on changing that outcome if the gun wasn’t sold. She said the gun could remain within the police department and used for training purposes, or even destroyed if not worthy of continued use.
"To, again, paint as if somehow that council, anytime there's a disagreement or it's not unanimous, or if it is unanimous against one side of the argument, that that's somehow a disservice to those who have elected us — I just think that's a mischaracterization."Michael Colón, Bethlehem City Council president
Colón said the discussion was a good example of how democracy works surrounding a sensitive topic, adding that he didn't plan on changing his support of the resolutions in the future.
He also spoke about Antalics' "will of the people" comment made before the vote.
"To, again, paint as if somehow that council, anytime there's a disagreement or it's not unanimous, or if it is unanimous against one side of the argument, that that's somehow a disservice to those who have elected us — I just think that's a mischaracterization," he said.
