Louisville Metro Government - File #: O-004-22

• File #: O-004-22
• Version: 3
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 1/5/2022
• In control: Metro Council
• On agenda: 3/17/2022
• Final action: 3/17/2022
• Title: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 135 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES ("LMCO") RELATING TO THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS WITHIN LOUISVILLE METRO. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION) (AS AMENDED)
• Sponsors: Pat Mulvihill (D-10), Bill Hollander (D-9), Nicole George (D-21), Kevin Triplett (D-15), David James (D-6), Rick Blackwell (D-12), Donna L. Purvis (D-5)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/17/2022	2	Metro Council	amended
3/17/2022	2	Metro Council	passed	Pass
3/9/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	untabled	Pass
3/9/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	recommended for approval	Pass
3/9/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	amended	Pass
2/23/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	recommended for approval	Pass
2/23/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	tabled	Pass
2/9/2022	1	Public Safety Committee	held
2/3/2022	1	Metro Council	assigned

ORDINANCE NO. __________, SERIES 2022
title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 135 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES ("LMCO") RELATING TO THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS WITHIN LOUISVILLE METRO. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION) (AS AMENDED)
body
SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS MULVIHILL, HOLLANDER, GEORGE, TRIPLETT, BLACKWELL, PURVIS, AND PRESIDENT JAMES

WHEREAS, the discharge of firearms within a populated area poses a threat to public safety; and
WHEREAS, in 2021 Metro Call received approximately 5,756 calls for shots fired; and
WHEREAS, on December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022, Metro Call received 325 calls for shots fired, or approximately 6 percent of the total number received in 2021; and
WHEREAS, KRS 65.870 preempts local legislation regarding the manufacture, sale, purchase, taxation, transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, storage, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, components of ammunition, firearms accessories, or combination thereof; and
WHEREAS, local regulation regarding the discharge of firearms is not preempted by KRS 65.870 or other provisions of Kentucky law; and
WHEREAS, several cities in Kentucky prohibit the discharge of firearms within their jurisdictions, such as Lexington, Bowling Green, Shelbyville, and Erlanger.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT ("THE COUNCIL") AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION I: A new section of LMCO Chapter 135 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances ("LMCO") is created as follows:
Section 135.03. Firearms Discharge Prohibited
(A) Unless otherwise permitted by Kentucky law or on a properly zoned and licensed firing range, no person in Louisville Metro shall discharge a firearm:
(1) Within 300 feet of a public roadway or public alley; or
(2) In the direction of a structure capable of being occupied that is within 300 feet of the person discharging the firea...