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Delegates pass memorial to restrict ICE agents from carrying firearms while on duty
Summary
A memorial (presented as a bill) to prohibit ICE agents from carrying firearms while on duty passed after extended floor debate that included concerns about training, constitutional issues and the role of ICE versus local law enforcement.
Delegates considered a measure proposing to restrict ICE agents from carrying firearms while on duty and debated at length the differences between civil immigration enforcement and traditional criminal law enforcement.
The proponent argued that the routine presence of firearms in immigration encounters raises the risk of unnecessary shootings and that restricting firearms would reduce those risks. Opponents said that disarming ICE could imperil agents who investigate weapons or violent offenders and that better training and oversight — not outright disarmament — would address misconduct. Delegates discussed statistics, cited previous shooting counts involving immigration officers and asked about constitutional and operational implications.
After extended debate, a motion to extend floor debate passed and the chamber ultimately approved the memorial. The measure’s implementation details, including interaction with federal jurisdiction and enforcement mechanisms, were not resolved during the session and will require further legal and administrative review.
