Chandler City Council moves forward plan to ban brass knuckles in the city

PHOENIX — The Chandler City Council voted in support of a potential brass knuckles ban during a Thursday night meeting.

Before the final vote, several community members discussed the role the weapons played in youth violence cases around the East Valley.

The Council’s unanimous decision to push forward the brass knuckles ban sets the stage for them to make a final vote on May 23.

At the same time, the Council also voted to introduce a second ordinance designed to combat violence among young people.

This second potential law would punish parents and guardians for unruly gatherings among juveniles that take place at home.

If the Council passes these ordinances during the meeting later this month, the laws would go into effect on June 24.

“The ordinances are intended to prevent and deter teen violence by providing educational and enforcement tools to address such incidents,” according to a city announcement shared with media outlets after the meeting.

“Violations would be subject to a civil fine or a class one misdemeanor charge, which is punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, six months in jail and three years’ probation,” the announcement said. “A class one misdemeanor is the highest offense that can be prosecuted at the municipal level.”

Mayor hopes potential brass knuckles ban in Chandler will inspire

A proposed statewide brass knuckles ban failed in the Arizona Legislature this year.

However, since the weapons can be regulated at the local level, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke hopes that actions taken in Chandler will have positive ripple effects in nearby jurisdictions.

“We want to continue to ensure the safety of our teens and residents,” he said. “I have aspirations and hopes that the actions that we’re taking tonight will resonate with our surrounding cities and potentially with our state to make sure that this vote in Chandler goes much further than Chandler.”