At the next Las Vegas City Council meeting, Ward 3 Councilwoman Olivia Diaz is introducing a bill to ban “the use or possession of certain types of weapons and implements,” such as swords or long knives, “as well as toy and replica firearms” within the Fremont Street Experience pedestrian mall and the surrounding area.
Diaz says the measure aims to back up law enforcement’s efforts to keep visitors to the downtown Fremont district safe.
“When I’ve been out on that very busy pedestrian mall on a First Friday, it’s a very difficult task to keep eyes on everything happening and they do a magnificent job and I just want to make sure that they feel they’re supported,” she said.
Diaz says the Las Vegas Strip and other tourist areas in town have similar rules in place already, and in light of mass shootings in recent years, it's time to bring downtown in line with those rules.
“We constantly have to be on the watch, and given 1 October did happen, we’d rather err on the side of caution than not take proactive measures to continue to keep public safety at the top of our list.”
The bill is being introduced at the November 6 meeting. Afterward, a committee will meet to decide whether any action will be taken on it.
Public comments will be accepted at that time.