Proposed Gun Measure in Shreveport Is Being Changed

The proposed ordinance dealing with guns in Shreveport is being changed a bit. Councilman John Nickelson has been listening to his colleagues on the council and member of the public and he is tweaking his ordinance a bit.

Nickelson says he plans to amend his original proposal.

He originally called for a fine of not more than $1,000 dollars for anyone who left a gun in an unattended vehicle unless the gun was locked in the trunk, glove compartment or a lock box permanently attached to the vehicle.

In a KEEL poll, more than 85% told us they oppose Nickelon's original ordinance.

Now Nickelson is proposing a measure that:

1. prohibits leaving a firearm in an unlocked vehicle between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
2. authorizes a maximum fine of $500.00 for violation of the ordinance
3. provides that if a firearm is stolen from an unlocked vehicle, a person who reports the theft to the Shreveport Police Department within 48 hours after discovery of the theft shall not be subject to prosecution under the ordinance.

Nickelson adds that this change is no more restrictive than state law. He says the plan now is to try to address the specific and serious problem of hundreds of firearms being stolen every year from unlocked cars in Shreveport at night. He also says the change will  only penalize gun owners who both "irresponsibly leave deadly weapons in unlocked vehicles and fail to report a resulting theft to the Shreveport Police Department within a reasonable period of time."

Nickelson says he is thankful for all of the input he has gotten and he's hopeful this measure will help reduce the number of firearms stolen in our city which could lead to a reduction in violent crimes.