INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time, the City of Indianapolis is enacting its new "gun-free zone" policy.
The policy will be in effect at the WonderRoad Music Festival at Garfield Park on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18. Weezer, Local Natives, X Ambassadors, Jason Isbell and the the 400 Unit, Tegan and Sara, and more will perform.
As part of changes announced to the city's public safety plan in May, Hogsett said the policy allows private event hosts or promoters to designate "gun-free zones" on leased-out public property during special events. Metal detectors and IMPD officers will help enforce the rules.
"Elevation Festivals, MOKB Presents and the acts that we book to perform are committed to staging safe events in secure locations," said Steve Lindecke, co-founder and chief operating officer for Elevation Festivals. "To be here today, on the eve of the fest, with Mayor Hogsett and the security team at Evolv, we relish the opportunity to take center stage in the hosting of this gun-free event."
Other points in Hogsett's plan to target gun violence in Indianapolis include:
- IMPD pay increases
- Hiring three criminal attorneys to work with U.S. Attorney's Office. These attorneys will work specifically on prosecuting people with violent criminal histories in the city of Indianapolis.
- Youth programs during summer months
- Conditional gun ordinances in Indianapolis
Wednesday evening, the City-County Council's public safety and criminal justice committee approved Hogsett's plan to ban assault rifles and raise the minimum age to buy guns to 21 years old, voting to move the proposal ahead to the full council.
But even if the council eventually approves the measure, the plan isn't immediately enforceable.
The proposal is a conditional ordinance. Since state law currently prevents local governments like Indy from regulating firearms in this way, the proposal wouldn't immediately take effect.
But if state restrictions are lifted or the law one day changes by the legislature or by the courts, it would allow Indianapolis to implement these gun safety measures.