CHANDLER, Ariz. — The City of Chandler voted to move forward with two ordinances Thursday night to minimize teen violence in their city.
One ordinance is to increase the punishment for unruly gatherings. The other is to ban anyone under 18 from carrying brass knuckles.
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City officials hope to prevent underage drinking and leverage more severe punishments than a fine if parties get out of hand. Under the ordinance, partiers could face probation or even jail time for violations.
The idea for the brass knuckles ban has been picking up steam since a Gilbert Goons attack in 2022 when a teenager was beaten with brass knuckles outside an In-N-Out in Gilbert.
After the attack, the teen lobbied the Arizona Legislature to add regulations around brass knuckles. But without enough votes to move forward, the bill went nowhere.
Now, the City of Chandler plans to implement that restriction for itself. The ordinance makes it illegal for a juvenile to possess, sell, or gift knuckles of any kind of metal.
The council will reconvene for a final vote on Thursday, May 23. Approved ordinances would then take effect on Monday, June 24.
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