INDIANAPOLIS — A proposal to cut down on gun violence in Indianapolis received City-County Council approval Monday on a vote of 18 to 5.
The proposal was introduced by Mayor Joe Hogsett back in May as part of his public safety plan. The plan was first approved in a 9-4 vote of the public safety and criminal justice committee.
The ordinance raises the age to buy a gun in Indianapolis to 21 years old, puts a ban on assault rifles within city limits and requires a license to carry.
But the plan isn’t immediately enforceable.
State law currently prevents local governments from regulating guns in ways like this. If the state regulations are lifted or if the law is changed by the legislature or the courts, then the city would be allowed to implement the new restrictions.
Those in favor of the proposals called it "common sense legislation." Opponents said it was unconstitutional.
“I’m voting against this because I disagree with the toothless language and the policy itself, but also because it plainly violates state statute and state constitution,” said Council minority leader Brian Mowery, R-District 25.
“If we were serious about tackling our city’s public safety crisis, we should be spending our time and energy on actionable proposals,” said Councilor Joshua Bain, R-District 20.
On Monday night, other councilors said even if it’s not enforceable, it’s the next best step.
“You say this doesn’t mean anything, actually it does. We are raising up an orange flag, a red flag to the Statehouse to say, 'Look what’s happening here,'” said Councilor Frank Mascari, D-District 21.
“You may call this toothless, but this is us taking a stand because it’s too much,” said Councilor Ali Brown, D-District 5.
Several members of Moms Demand Action also came out for the vote. They call the passage a win.
“It feels good to see people with authority, people who are making decisions, give this some teeth. We are tired of thoughts and prayers. We need to do something,” said Liz Moser, with Moms Demand Action of Indianapolis.
The council also approved a proposal that will add three federal prosecutors to the city’s payroll as part of the mayor's public safety plan. It will cost about $225,000 for the rest of the year.
The attorneys will focus on prosecuting federal gun crimes specifically in Marion County.
After Monday's vote, Hogsett released the following statement:
"Tonight’s Council votes on Proposals 149 and 156 prove that Indianapolis and its leadership won't back down from taking bold steps to protect residents and neighborhoods. I applaud the Council’s bipartisan support for funding our partnership with U.S. Attorney Zach Myers, holding the worst of the worst offenders to account. I also wish to thank those who approved our common-sense gun safety measures, including a ban on semiautomatic assault weapons, increasing the purchasing age to 21, requiring handgun licenses, and removing the concealed carry of firearms. Tonight we are sending a clear message of where we stand about the causes of gun violence and the proliferation of illegal weapons on our streets."