TEMPE, Ariz. — Brass knuckles are a weapon used in multiple assaults involving teenagers in the Valley. Now, one city is preventing anyone from carrying them in public.
In a 7-0 vote, the Tempe City Council approved a new ordinance that bans teens from purchasing and possessing brass knuckles. Chandler and Gilbert have passed similar ordinances but Tempe's takes it a step further by banning anyone, adults included, from carrying the weapon in public.
The ordinance will start 30 days following Thursday's vote. Anyone caught with brass knuckles will face a class one misdomeaner.
This comes after several cases of teen violence have been brought to light with some of the assaults involving teenagers using brass knuckles to attack other minors.
Connor Jarnagan know it all too well. At just 16 he was sent to the hospital after getting punched by another 16-year-old in the back of the head with the weapon.
“[Brass knuckles] are for people who want to go out and cause trouble and cause harm on other people,” Jarnagan said.
It was in December of 2022 when Jarnagan was leaving a Gilbert In-N-Out when he said a group of teens came up to him and demanded money from him. When Jarnagan refused, he said he was attacked from behind with brass knuckles. It put him in the hospital and his head getting stapled.
“It's still is a hard night for me,” he said.
Since the attack, Jarnagan has spoken to City and State leaders to encourage them to take action by banning or restricting the use of brass knuckles. On Thursday night he and his mother Stephanie Jarnagan spoke in support of Tempe's ban.
"It really touched our hearts and we could tell they are really genuine about it and really want to help us and help their community,” Jarnagan said.
The ordinance was created by Councilmember Berdetta Hodge who worked with Jarnagan on what the ban should entail. Councilmember Hodge said it's an ordinance that's important to her and the community.
“One child that gets affected, like Connor, is one too many,” Hodge said.
The Councilmember said it was also important to her to include adults in the ban. Given how some suspects accused of being part of teen assaults were above 18 when they were carried out.
“We talk about children but when you look at the Gilbert Goons, all of them weren’t kids," Hodge said. "There were adults in that scenario so when we don’t take the initiative to the next level are we really fully protecting our children.”
Jarnagan said while he is relieved Tempe took action, he said more needs to be done. He plans on returning to the State capital to encourage lawmakers to ban brass knuckles. Several members of council including Hodge said they would be right beside him when he does.
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