Agenda - 11-16-1993 - VII-B - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

18 AGENDA $11 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and Council FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager Ralph D. Karpinos, Town Attorney SUBJECT: Firearm Regulations DATE: April 13 , 1992 The attached Ordinance would amend the Town Code to add prohibitions on the possession, display or use of firearms and other dangerous weapons on all Town-owned property, at street fairs and in Town buses, taxis and other means of public conveyance. Background, On March 11, the Council referred to the Town Attorney a Council petition regarding the possibilities for regulation of the use and display of weapons by Town Ordinance. This memorandum responds to that request. In February, 1990, the Council requested a report on what options might be available to the Council regarding the regulation of the use or sale of firearms. A copy of the report prepared in response to that request is attached. The third conclusion of that report states: "Modification of existing local regulation of the possession and use of handguns or weapons in general , within the constitutional limitations and statutory authority cited above, is possible. Local regulation of handguns is specifically authorized by General Statute and the Town Charter and is not preempted by a complete and integrated State regulatory scheme. Any regulation must be reasonable and not prohibitive, and must bear a fair relation to the preservation of the public peace and safety. " In August, 1991, following action by the General Assembly to increase the authorized monetary penalties for violation of local ordinances, the Council directed the Manager and Attorney to prepare a recommendation on possible changes in the Town Code. That report is on the Town Council ' s agenda for this evening and includes recommendations for two Code changes related to penalties for use of weapons: