Idaho mayor arrested for using pistol as gavel in city council meeting

In the tiny town of Butte City, Idaho – home to fewer than 80 people – a city council meeting turned into something out of a political thriller. According to Kaitlyn Hart of East Idaho News, Mayor Kevin Turner, 63, was arrested on July 11, 2025, after allegedly slamming his holstered handgun on the council table during a heated outburst. Turner, who was appointed mayor in 2024 after serving on the city council since 2012, is now facing a misdemeanor charge for exhibition or use of a deadly weapon.

Council Meeting Erupts Into Chaos

The incident happened during a regular city council meeting at 2731 8th Street. Witnesses told Butte County Sheriff’s deputies that Turner became enraged, threatened people with a gun, and attempted to fire Councilman Steven Avery. According to court documents cited by Kaitlyn Hart in her article for the Idaho Statesman, Turner admitted to using his firearm “like a gavel” to restore order. He said he never removed it from its holster, but held it by the barrel and banged the magazine wall against the table.

Nine Witnesses Say They Felt Threatened

Deputies at the scene collected written statements from nine people who attended the meeting, including council members and residents. All said they felt threatened by Turner’s actions. Hart reported that deputies also secured a loaded Hi-Point .45 ACP Model JHP from the mayor after confirming he was armed. The audio recording of the meeting, reviewed by police, captured Turner yelling at Avery and others, followed by loud banging noises. Witnesses said the scene spiraled quickly after criticism was directed at the mayor.

“I Can Do Whatever I Want; I’m the Mayor”

According to court documents reviewed by Hart and quoted in her KSL.com report, the confrontation reached a fever pitch when Turner, after shouting at Avery and others, reportedly declared, “I can do whatever I want to do; I’m the mayor!” Turner’s wife, Erica Lange Turner, who serves as the city’s clerk, treasurer, and secretary, is also heard on the recording yelling, “Kevin!” in alarm when the firearm was introduced into the situation.

Facebook Feuds and Accusations of Cyberbullying

Hart’s investigation for KSL.com uncovered a deeper issue bubbling beneath the surface. Residents say that tensions were already high due to a controversial Facebook page called “Butte City Happenings,” allegedly run by Erica Turner. Locals claim the page turned into a “gossip column” filled with bullying and false accusations. When this conflict of interest was brought up during the meeting, the mayor reportedly “went ballistic,” according to attendees Shuree Burgoyne and Toni Tipton.

Gun As Gavel: Turner’s Defense

In interviews with deputies the following day, Turner defended his actions by saying he was trying to maintain order in the meeting. He claimed a man had interrupted the session and refused to remain silent, and that the same man and his wife had threatened another attendee. Turner also said it was unusual for him to bring a gun to meetings, but he felt the situation was escalating and “started to feel threatened,” as detailed in Hart’s reports.

Avery Responds: “He Pulled the Gun First”

Councilman Steven Avery, the man Turner allegedly tried to fire, disputes Turner’s version of events. In Hart’s reporting, Avery and his wife Bonnie Jopson stated that the mayor pulled the gun before there was any talk of dismissal. Avery said, “We went in there to solve a problem and [the mayor] caused one.” He also mentioned frustrations about the lack of financial transparency and alleged mismanagement of a $500,000 water infrastructure grant.

2A News Now Host Calls It “Unhinged”

Troy, host of the gun rights YouTube channel 2A News Now, called the situation “unhinged” in his July video. He described how Turner used the Hi-Point pistol like a gavel, while still in its holster, slamming it against the table. Troy criticized the mayor not just for his behavior, but also for his firearm choice: “What type of firearm the mayor had – that shows you really how bad the mayor is.” He also pointed out that holding a gun by the barrel and banging it on a table is a risky move, with the muzzle pointed at the user.

Legal Ramifications Still Unfolding

Mayor Turner pleaded not guilty on July 14 and was released from jail on bond. As of now, he faces a possible penalty of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine if convicted. His attorney, John Malek, did not respond to media requests. Future court dates have not been scheduled, and Turner has not made any additional public comments, according to all three of Kaitlyn Hart’s articles.

A Town Divided Over Power and Transparency

Butte City’s residents are now left grappling with questions far bigger than the size of their town. From the mayor’s temper to the alleged control held by his wife over city records and finances, people like Burgoyne are asking for accountability. “I just pray we get our community back,” she said, echoing the frustration of a town where everyone knows everyone – and now, everyone is talking.

A Gun Is Not a Gavel

Let’s be honest – using a pistol to command order in a public meeting, no matter how small the town, is a shocking lapse in judgment. Whether Turner felt threatened or not, the symbolism of slamming a loaded firearm on the table is chilling. Even if the gun stayed holstered, it turned a democratic forum into something that felt like a power play by force. The fact that the mayor said, “I can do whatever I want,” underscores the bigger concern: unchecked authority in a town with virtually no oversight.

Small Towns Need Big Accountability

Butte City might only have 78 residents, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune from real problems. In some ways, its size makes issues like nepotism and power struggles even more visible. The same people run the meetings, control the budget, and manage communication. When questions about transparency get met with a slammed gun and a shouted dismissal, it’s not just a misdemeanor charge – it’s a wake-up call.