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Council amends weapons ordinance to permit military honor guard three‑volley salutes
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 7‑53 amending Forest Lake City Code (Title 13, Chapter 130) to allow military honor and color guards to discharge blank ammunition for ceremonial three‑volley salutes, following stakeholder consultation with veterans organizations and funeral homes.
The council adopted Ordinance 7‑53, an amendment to the city's general offenses chapter to allow military honor guards and color guards to use blank ammunition for ceremonial three‑volley salutes.
Police staff explained the change was needed because the city’s existing code did not allow military honor guards to fire blank ammunition during military honors. The chief (or designee) said staff met with representatives of the American Legion, VFW and two local funeral homes to review the ordinance and that the city attorney had reviewed the amendment: "We got a lot of great input from them... The amendment to our current ordinance pertaining to use and possession of firearms or other weapons was approved by all the stakeholders and reviewed by our city attorney," the chief said.
Council Member [name/role used as recorded] moved to approve Ordinance 7‑53 (Forest Lake City Code, Title 13, Chapter 130). The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The ordinance update will allow properly supervised ceremonial blank‑ammunition discharges for military honors under conditions consistent with stakeholders’ recommendations and the city attorney’s review.
