Ordinance 2022-1832 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Second Reading Amendments Ordinance No. 1832, Series 2022 is revised to read as follows (amendments are shown in bold underline and bold strikeout): ORDINANCE NO. 1832 SERIES 2022 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, ARTICLE VIII OF THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF FIREARMS IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES WHEREAS, the City of Louisville respects the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns in public places where it is safe and lawful to do so; and WHEREAS, there are certain areas where firearms pose an acute risk to the health and well-being of children, office workers, and members of the public; and WHEREAS, the presence of firearms at government buildings and offices, polling places, ballot counting facilities, and public demonstrations poses a serious threat to First Amendment rights, voting rights, and the functioning of our democracy; and WHEREAS, people carrying handguns in public buildings and at crowded public events — including financial institutions, sporting venues, courthouses, hospitals and medical or mental health facilities, theaters, houses of worship, and similar locations — create unnecessary risks of intentional or accidental shootings, increase the risk of lethal disputes between members of the public, and increase the risk that a law-abiding citizen's weapon will be stolen and used by someone else to harm or threaten employees or the public; and WHEREAS, courthouses and hospitals in particular are the site of high -stakes, emotional events and may be frequented by people in crisis who do not have a choice other than to be there. Allowing the carry of concealed firearms in such locations increases the risk of intentional or reckless violence or violence fueled by mental health crises and raises the possibility that everyday disagreements will escalate into shootouts; and WHEREAS, the presence of firearms in places frequented by children and families — including parks, playgrounds, community and recreation centers, and daycare centers — poses unreasonable risks to children, particularly of unintentional shootings and firearm misuse, as well as trauma that can result from mishandled firearms or gun violence; and WHEREAS, firearms pose a substantial danger in the vicinity of intoxicated people at facilities that serve alcohol, as research demonstrates a strong link between alcohol use and domestic violence, gun crimes, and self-inflicted firearm injuries; and Ordinance No. 1832, Series 2022 Page 1 of 5