July 8th 2023.
The Detroit City Council is taking significant action to combat the persistent gun violence that has become increasingly prominent in the Michigan city. Following an April weekend which saw six separate shooting events, the council members are seeking to change a long standing state law to enable counties to designate “gun-free zones” in their cities.
These gun-free zones would be established in high-risk areas such as hospitals, churches, restaurants, and courthouses. While the name might imply otherwise, the current laws don’t restrict all guns in these spaces, as open carrying is still allowed. The only thing that wouldn’t be permitted is concealed carrying.
The Detroit police have been doing their part to keep the city safe by enforcing a curfew for unaccompanied minors and asking people to leave their guns at home. However, the council members are hopeful that a law change would help to better implement what the police are trying to do.
The proposals that were presented to the Detroit City Council on the 16th of May got an 8-1 vote for resolution 19.13. It showed support for Democratic Senator Jeff Irwin’s Senate Bill 208, which would allow municipalities to prohibit the possession of firearms on their properties. Resolution 19.14, which the council passed with a 5-4 vote after some debate, expressed the idea of gun-free zones in public downtown areas of Detroit such as the city’s riverfront area.
Jeff Irwin explained the purpose of the bill was to “restore the authority that local governments used to have to maintain security in their buildings and on their properties”. He went on to mention that “people can conceal carry [and] people can open carry [firearms] in public hearings”, which can be intimidating for those who want to participate in their democracy. With this new ordinance, cities will be able to decide what’s best for those who live there, and would also be able to designate gun-free zones beyond state capitols, private businesses, and federal courts.
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