Mayor Greg Fischer wants a gun violence prevention talk with state leaders

Mayor Greg Fischer wants state lawmakers to consider giving Louisville better tools to prevent gun violence, including repealing a law that forbids police from destroying confiscated firearms.

Speaking to Metro Council Democrats on Thursday, Fischer aide Sara Massey outlined the mayor’s legislative priorities, which call for having a serious conversation with the Kentucky General Assembly about the best practices to reduce gun-related crimes at the local level.

“We don’t have a specific bill that we’re pushing but we want to start the discussion on gun violence prevention, what can we do and what best steps we can take, especially for local governments,” Massey said.

The state legislature passed a law nearly two decades ago that required auctions for weapons seized by police if they couldn’t be returned to their legal owners. Chief Steve Conrad criticized the practice last year when addressing the council’s Public Safety Committee, saying he “would rather get rid of the gun and destroy it like we used to before the state law.”

In his legislative agenda, Fischer points to a spike in violent crimes involving guns across the country and says that the trend is being seen in many local communities. In Louisville there was a record-breaking 124 criminal homicides citywide last year and police data showed a 40 percent increase in shootings compared to 2015.

Specifically, the Fischer administration is seeking increased penalties for felony gun possession, a requirement that all gun transactions utilize a licensed firearms dealer, promotion of responsible gun storage, and a prohibition on allowing firearms in metro government buildings. Massey said addressing those issues with state lawmakers wouldn’t happen until after the current 30-day legislative session and would most likely occur during an interim committee hearing later this year.

Last year, Fischer called for state legislation that would allow local governments to pass gun control measures to tackle the city’s skyrocketing homicide and shooting rates. The Fischer administration does not appear, however, to be throwing its political weight behind House Bill 101, a measure sponsored by six state House Democrats that would give Metro Council the power to regulate the sale, purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition within Louisville Metro.

Asked about HB 101 by a council member, Massey said the administration supports whatever legislation gives Louisville more home-rule powers, but it was her instincts that the bill would not receive a hearing,” which shouldn’t be a surprise to very many of you,” she added.

Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at (502) 582-4475 or [email protected].