The Anchorage Assembly is set to hear public testimony Tuesday night on two proposed ordinances that could significantly reshape local gun laws, placing new responsibilities on parents and gun owners, while at the same time running afoul of existing state laws.
The first proposed ordinance, introduced by Assemblywoman Karen Bronga, would hold parents or guardians criminally liable if a child in their care brings a gun or other deadly weapon to school grounds or school-related events. Introduced as a response to growing concerns over youth access to firearms, the proposal stipulates that liability applies if the weapon was originally in the possession of the adult.
Click here to read: Ordinance No. AO 2025-25, an ordinance of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 8.25.060 to expand principal liability to parents and guardians of minors possessing deadly weapons on school grounds or at school functions. Assembly Member Bronga.
Critics argue that the broad language — potentially extending liability to foster parents, grandparents, or even temporary caregivers like babysitters — could unfairly penalize adults for actions beyond their control.
The second ordinance under consideration requires gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering it missing. Modeled after similar laws in other states, this proposal goes far beyond the federal mandate reporting for licensed firearms dealers.
Click here to read: Ordinance No. AO 2025-28, an ordinance of the Anchorage Assembly amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 8.25.070 to require the report of lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours of discovery. Assembly Member Bronga.
One of the issues these ordinances face is that, by state law, local gun laws cannot be more restrictive than state laws.
Citizen and activist Cale Green produced a video explaining some of the problems with these ordinances:
The meeting, held on the ground floor of the Loussac Library, starts at 6 pm and usually runs until 11 pm.
