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Second Reading Amendments <br />Ordinance No. 1833, Series 2022 is revised to read as follows (amendments are shown in bold underline <br />and Meld- strikeefft): <br />ORDINANCE NO. 1833 <br />SERIES 2022 <br />AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, ARTICLE VIII OF THE LOUISVILLE <br />MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING THE OPEN CARRYING OF FIREARMS IN <br />PUBLIC PLACES <br />WHEREAS, the City Council finds the open carrying of firearms in public places is a <br />dangerous activity that leads to confusion amongst the public and makes law enforcement's job <br />more difficult; and <br />WHEREAS, the open carrying of firearms has been used to usurp the role of law <br />enforcement or participate in unsanctioned and illegal militias. Open carrying has also been used <br />to intimidate and infringe on the First Amendment rights and political participation of others; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the open carrying of firearms has enabled gun rampages in Colorado and <br />elsewhere. In Colorado Springs, a resident reported to police that a suspicious person was open <br />carrying a rifle, but because state law does not prohibit open carry, police were unable to take <br />action until the gun carrier shot and killed three people; and <br />WHEREAS, even when open -carry incidents do not end in shootouts as in Colorado <br />Springs, the confusion they cause threatens public safety by diverting law enforcement resources <br />and interfering with police responses to true emergencies; and <br />WHEREAS, a visible gun has been found to make people more aggressive; therefore, <br />open carry makes it more likely that ordinary disagreements will turn into violent or lethal <br />conflicts; and <br />WHEREAS, Colorado state law is currently silent regarding the open carrying of <br />handguns and rifles and shotguns; and <br />WHEREAS, Colorado respects the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms in <br />public by allowing them to carry a concealed handgun in places where they are licensed to do so; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to prohibit the open carrying of firearms <br />in order to protect the safety of its residents, conserve law enforcement resources and deter illegal <br />violence, and ensure that people are able to vote and exercise First Amendment rights without <br />fear of intimidation. <br />Ordinance No. 1833, Series 2022 <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />