Detroit Free Press,
October 3, 2017-
A Detroit councilwoman formally asked the city’s legal department Tuesday to examine the feasibility of restricting or monitoring rifles and semi-automatic firearms at Detroit hotels that face public spaces like Hart Plaza. Councilwoman Janee’ Ayers told the Free Press Monday night that her decision to potentially explore bringing forth legislation was prompted by the Las Vegas shooting that left more than 50 people dead late Sunday.
The Sunday night tragedy unfolded when Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old resident of Mesquite, Nev., opened fire from a Mandalay Bay hotel room, 32 floors above a packed, outdoor concert in Las Vegas, killing dozens and wounding hundreds more, and prompting chaos as the panicked crowd scrambled for cover. In the memo obtained by the Free Press, Ayers said she wants to explore restricting or monitoring rifles and semi-automatic weapons via registering them upon check-in at the hotels. The memo was sent to the city’s Corporation Counsel Melvin Butch Hollowell and Legislative Policy Division and referred to the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.