Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Ordinance 1500-2020, which created a new section 217.051 to restrict the acquisition and possession of certain law enforcement equipment by the City of Columbus.
Ordinance 1500-2020 codified items as prohibited that were initially included in President Barack Obama’s Executive Order 13688, “Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition.” The executive order, which has since been revoked by President Donald Trump, sought to identify and prohibit or control the use of certain equipment in order to mitigate the militarization of law enforcement agencies.
This ordinance revises 1500-2020 in two ways:
· More explicitly detailing grenade launchers in section 217.051 as a prohibited item, so as not to include certain controlled items, such as those devices known in the Division of Police as “gas guns.”
· Allowing for the use of one prohibited item, camouflage uniforms, until acceptable replacements can be procured.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately clarify for the Division of Police guidelines for the possession of the items in the amendment.
Title
To amend Ordinance 1500-2020, which created new section 217.051 of the Columbus City Codes, to clarify regulations around the possession of certain law enforcement equipment; to repeal existing Ordinance 1500-2020; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2015, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13688, “Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition,” to identify actions that can improve Federal support for the appropriate use, acquisition, and transfer of controlled equipment by state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, among the provisions within the President’s executive order were lists of prohibited and controlled equipment that law enforcement agencies could acquire with federal funding; and
WHEREAS, prohibited equi...
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