America’s fight over gun rights and the state’s proposed initiative for firearm sales regulations came to Langley City Hall on Monday.

What was a civil discussion inside city hall — with no outbursts or interruptions over a charged issue — turned into a small kerfuffle outside council chambers. People opposed to and in favor of Initiative 594 exchanged heated words, gaining the notice of Langley Police Chief Dave Marks though no intervention was necessary.

More than 30 people filed into city hall in response to Mayor Fred McCarthy’s proposed city resolution in support of state Initiative 594. The proposed regulation calls to “close loopholes” in firearm sale and transfer on the November ballot.

But opponents of the measure called it unnecessary, burdensome on law enforcement and the state’s Department of Licensing, and infringes on individuals’ Second Amendment rights to bear arms.

“It’s already illegal to sell guns to criminals and people not authorized to have them,” said Mike McInerney, who opposed I-594 and is a firearms safety instructor at the Holme’s Harbor Rod & Gun Club.

Enough people showed up specifically about the city’s I-594 resolution that Councilman Thomas Gill requested the council open the floor to hear their comments. He also successfully motioned to remove the resolution from new business and downgrade it to a discussion, calling it “dubious” and inappropriate for the city, whose elected officials were sworn to uphold both the state and United States constitutions “in their entirety.”

Council members Rene Neff and Jim Sundberg opposed changing the resolution to a discussion item, and said they were supportive of I-594. As a discussion item, the council did not take action on it.

McCarthy said he was part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, and that he was surprised by the backlash of his proposed resolution.

“I made the assumption that it would have overwhelming support,” McCarthy said. “Obviously that’s not the case.”

Of the six people who spoke about the city’s resolution, four were against it and against I-594. Pam Fick, wearing a navy blue “Yes on I-594” shirt and a Moms Demand Action button, supported the mayor’s proposal.

“This initiative is no different than what was already on the books, but closes loopholes through gun shows and online sales,” she said.

Police Chief Marks was asked to speak about the issue by the public. He read a letter he had previously sent to McCarthy in which Marks stated he was opposed to I-594 and the city’s proposed resolution.

“It’s been my observation that criminals are obtaining firearms through burglary,” he said.

Once the crowd had its chance to speak and the council members gave their positions, the discussion ended and nearly half the crowd left.

Just outside Langley City Hall, however, some of the once-poised people got into a heated argument about what I-594 will accomplish. Shortly after Marks stepped out, however, the two parties separated.

McCarthy said the resolution will likely come before the city council for a first reading in October, ahead of the election.