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Council adopts consolidated firearm-discharge ordinance with exceptions for ceremonial and self-defense uses
Summary
The Common Council adopted Bill 26-25, revising local discharge-of-firearms rules to centralize exceptions, add a self-defense exception, and adjust enforcement language to increase enforceability per staff guidance and legal constraints under Indiana law.
The council adopted a consolidated ordinance updating regulations on the discharge of firearms in the municipal code.
City Attorney Jenna Throw presented Bill 26-25 and explained the council was considering a substitute that would improve enforceability by changing one provision from “may” to “shall” and by adding a self-defense exception to address Second Amendment concerns. Throw said the ordinance incorporates the statutory definition of “firearm” from Indiana law and consolidates multiple exception provisions (including cemetery and prior-city-authorized events) into one section for clarity.
Kylie Connell, city attorney on the line, and other staff confirmed pellet guns and similar non–explosion-propelled devices do not meet Indiana’s definition of firearm under current case law and that the council could consider separate regulation for those items in the future. Council members discussed exemptions for military or ceremonial 21-gun salutes; staff said such ceremonial discharges are typically performed by veterans organizations or military details under strict procedures and the ordinance preserves an exemption for properly authorized ceremonies.
The substitute bill was adopted by roll call (nine ayes) on third reading.
