The Tempe City Council passed a ban on the possession of brass knuckles in public places, as well as a ban on the sale of that or any similar device to minors.
Testifying before the Tempe City Council, Chandler resident Connor Jarnagan recounted his experience being assaulted by another individual carrying brass knuckles in December 2022.
Had he been hit in a different way, Jarnagan says doctors told him he could have been paralyzed or killed.
“By taking decisive action tonight to ban citizens from possessing brass knuckles in public and also ban the sale of them to minors, your city will not only help foster a safer community, but you will also lead the effort to create a full ban on brass knuckles in Arizona," he said.
After several people testified on the subject of brass knuckles, Councilmember Berdetta Hodge recognized Preston Lord, a Gilbert teen who died following an event of youth violence.
“You're not only fighting for you, but you're fighting for Preston Lord too. As a Governing Board member, one of the things I do day in and day out is think about the safety of my kids and the safety of my community around them," she said.
Tempe’s ordinance makes illegal possession or sale of brass knuckles a misdemeanor.
The city is the latest in the valley to adopt such a ban following reports of teen violence.