HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10644 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10644
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 24, 2021
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SUBJECT: UNLICENSED CARRY OF HANDGUNS (HB1927) AND SAFETY AND
SECURITY AT CITY FACILITIES
The purpose of this IR is to communicate to the Mayor and City Council information regarding Texas House Bill
1927, recently passed and signed into law on June 16, 2021, known as the "Firearm Carry Act of 2021 ".
In addition to the responsibilities outlined in Texas Municipal Code, the City Marshal is tasked with securing City
facilities by:
• Conducting security screening at select locations and events
• Making recommendations related to the installation of security monitoring and access control equipment
• Perform bike and foot patrols
• Respond to non-emergency and emergency calls for assistance
In this capacity, the City Marshal is constantly reviewing City Hall safety and security policies to ensure they align
with changes in state law and local and national best practices. Further, the City Marshal facilitates the collaboration
between internal and external law enforcement agencies and City Departments to ensure the needs of the City are
continually met. The primary goal of the review process is to ensure employees and the public feel safe while
allowing easy access to visitors that need to connect with their City Government.
Currently, community members with a License to Carry (LTC) can carry a firearm in public areas of City facilities that
are not classified as "prohibited places" by State law. The City Personnel Rules and Regulations prohibit City
employees from carrying a firearm in any City facility; unless the employee's duties require them without special
approval (i.e., police officers and Deputy Marshals).
In addition to the current LTC rules, effective September 1, 2021, a member of the public who is at least 21 years old
and has not been convicted of specific offenses within the last 5 years and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a
firearm may carry a concealed or holstered firearm in public places except where prohibited by law.
The responsibility of the City and the Marshal's Division to keep employees and visitors safe while conducting
business in City Facilities does not change on September 1, when this new legislation takes effect.
Based on the desire to ensure the safest environment for City employees and the public, the City Marshal's Division
will continue to screen visitors entering City Hall for prohibited items and firearms, and employees are still prohibited
from bringing a firearm into a city facility.. Additionally, Deputy Marshals will use a wand to scan visitors before
allowing them to enter a Governmental Body meeting that occurs during regular business hours (8 AM to 5 PM).
Standard screening will be conducted for public meetings scheduled after business hours.
Further, the City Marshal will coordinate with the City's Property Management Division to review and determine the
feasibility of installing a gun locker system for City Hall visitors and to have signs installed that outline the legislative
changes, specifically the requirement prohibiting visitors from carrying firearms while attending a meeting of a
Governmental Body.
The City Marshal will evaluate the impacts of the new legislation on city facilities over the next 90-days and will
provide an update to the City Manager's Office if additional security protocols need to be added.
The City Marshal works directly with the City Manager's Office and the City Attorney to strike a balance between
public access and the safety for all persons entering City Hall.
If you have any questions, please call Valerie Washington, Assistant City Manager at 817-392-6192, City Marshal
Philip Swift at 817-392-6794, or William F. Rumuly, Municipal Court Services Director at 817-392-6736.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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