Council votes 4–1 to reinstate screening for public meetings after safety debate

After discussion about public-safety risks and civil-rights considerations, the Kennesaw City Council voted to reinstate screening of meeting attendees using the city’s existing X-ray and metal-detection equipment.

The mayor argued the equipment should be used to protect both the public and council members and said he wanted the measure implemented immediately. "I would like for us to use the equipment that we have, not just to protect us, but to protect the people in the audience," the mayor said during the open-session discussion.

Council discussion addressed several concerns: legal and procedure questions (whether the change must be agendized), the scope of who would be screened, and civil-liberties considerations. One council member cautioned against perceived limits on firearms rights, stating, "I don't want to infringe upon people's Second Amendment rights as well, Mayor," during the debate. Another council member urged creation of written guidelines, noting that attorneys and other participants sometimes are exempted in other public settings.

Despite those concerns, a motion to begin screening now (with the mayor directing implementation) passed by a 4–1 vote; the mayor announced he would implement the measure and asked staff to prepare written screening guidelines prior to the next work session. The record notes Councilmember Antonio Jones as the lone dissenting vote.

What happens next: Staff will prepare and circulate written guidelines for how screening will be applied (including questions about staff exemptions and legal process) and the mayor expects screening to be implemented for future council meetings and work sessions.

Attribution: The mayor and councilors discussed the measure on the record and voted; quotes and statements are drawn from the meeting transcript.