RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2018
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN AMENDMENT TO KRS 65.870 BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING LOCAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION BY CONSOLIDATED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS CHERI BRYANT HAMILTON, BRANDON COAN, DAVID JAMES AND BILL HOLLANDER
WHEREAS, the right to legal and safe firearm ownership for the purposes of self-defense and recreation is protected; and
WHEREAS, illegal firearms, specifically, have resulted in a significant increase in violent crimes, shooting-related fatalities, gun trafficking and the illegal market for guns in Louisville Metro in recent years; and
WHEREAS, the most recent data collected and published by Louisville Metro Police Department reveals that there were 107 criminal homicides in Louisville Metro in 2017, second only to the record 117 criminal homicides in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the most recent data collected and published by Louisville Metro Police Department reveals that there were 88 shooting-related fatalities in Louisville Metro in 2017; and
WHEREAS, the most recent data collected and published by Louisville Metro Police Department reveals that there were also 297 non-fatal shooting victims in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County had the most criminal homicides, shooting-related fatalities and non-fatal shooting victims of any Kentucky county in 2017; and
WHEREAS, illegal and violent gun offenders are more likely to be arrested for homicide than other felons; and
WHEREAS, illegal and violent gun offenders’ future crimes also tend to be more serious ones; and
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2018, the Kentucky General Assembly introduced House Bill 189 to allow for the regulation of firearms and ammunition by consolidated local governments in their territory or jurisdiction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (”LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Louisville Metro Council requests the Kentucky General Assembly to amend Section 65.870 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to add new subsection (6), granting consolidated local governments the power to regulate firearms and ammunition within their territory or jurisdiction, limited as follows:
(6) A city of the first class or home rule class, county, urban-county government, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local government may enact legislation or policies that:
(a) Require the sale of firearms or ammunitions within their territory or jurisdiction be transacted using responsible business practices;
(b) Require firearm owners who work or reside within the territory or jurisdiction to report any lost or stolen firearms to local law enforcement within a prescribed amount of time following discovery of the loss or theft of the firearm; or
(c) Provide funding for firearm violence intervention programs within the territory or jurisdiction.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David James President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
R-014-18 Illegal firearms resolution CM Coan 1-18-18.doc