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Council debates scope of ordinance to permit ceremonial firearm discharges; alder seeks guardrails
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 7-25-791 to permit ceremonial firearm discharges (funerals, military/police honors) and flagged language concerns that would give the police chief broad authorization; the item will return with revised language.
The council reviewed Ordinance 7-25-791, proposed by the Public Safety Committee, to amend Monona Code section 335-3 and permit certain ceremonial firearm discharges that the current ordinance technically prohibits.
Mark (city staff) explained the change would make explicit that ceremonial discharges such as those for military or police funerals are permitted. Alder Doug said he supports allowing the chief to authorize ceremonial discharges but expressed concern that the proposed language “goes way beyond that to just allow him to authorize it at any time” and asked for added guardrails. The council agreed the ordinance requires clearer limiting language and indicated it will return for additional review at the next meeting.
No vote was taken on the ordinance at this meeting; staff said the item will be revised and presented again.
