Gary City committee reviews draft ordinance to ban firearm discharges, schedules public hearing

The Gary City Public Safety Committee on June 11 discussed draft ordinance CPO 20 25 39, which would prohibit the discharge of firearms within Gary City limits and set civil penalties, and set a public hearing on the measure for June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Gary Sanitary District. Attorney Morgan presented the draft, saying the ordinance was intended “to prohibit discharging firearms in the city” and to address safety risks from stray bullets in the city’s open and natural areas.

The ordinance was sponsored by Councilwoman Latham, president of the Common Council, who told the committee the measure grew from visits to levees along the Little Calumet River where staff and volunteers maintain infrastructure and encountered people hunting. “We needed a sign that said, you know, no hunting, no discharging of firearms. And that's when we realized we couldn't get a sign because we didn't have a law,” Latham said.

Gary Police Chief Cannon said he supported the ordinance in concept but urged removing a…