Bloomington Mayor Seeks Tools to Limit Guns at Events
After a weekend shooting on Kirkwood Avenue, the mayor says Indiana's preemption law blocks local firearm restrictions at public gatherings.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Violence
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said the city needs more tools to limit firearms at public events following another shooting on Kirkwood Avenue over the weekend. Indiana prohibits towns from regulating the ownership, possession, or carrying of firearms.
Why it matters
Indiana is one of 43 states with broad prohibitions on local gun control, which constrains how cities can respond to gun violence at gatherings. The debate highlights the tension between state preemption laws and local efforts to protect public events.
Kenneth Lamar Scott, 18, of Indianapolis was arrested for unlawful possession of an AR-15 style handgun and faces a felony weapon charge in Hendricks County, plus a resisting law enforcement charge. Police have not named Scott or anyone else as a suspect in the Kirkwood Avenue shooting.
The players
Kerry Thomson
Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana, who is pushing for state changes to allow cities to regulate firearms at public events.
Indiana State Police
The state law enforcement agency that coordinated the Kirkwood Avenue safety plan with local police.
Indiana University Police Department
The campus police agency that coordinated the Kirkwood Avenue safety plan alongside state and city police.
The details
Thomson said she is working with state legislators to let cities use the same permitting process private organizations use for public events. The proposed process would allow cities to cordon areas and require visitors to pass through metal detectors. A safety plan coordinated with the Indiana State Police and IU Police Department placed more than 20 officers around Kirkwood.
Timeline
2019: Protesters carrying firearms rallied at the Bloomington Community Farmers Market, prompting a two-week market suspension.
2021: Colorado's general assembly became the first state to repeal most of its preemption law.
Nov. 1, 2026: Another shooting occurred on Kirkwood Avenue over the weekend.
Legal Context
Indiana is one of 43 states with broad prohibitions on local gun control, a framework that leaves cities little authority over firearms. Colorado's 2021 repeal of most of its preemption law stands as a contrasting precedent that Bloomington officials are pointing to.
Residents attending Kirkwood Avenue events may see heightened police presence and security screening if the proposed permitting process is approved. Bloomington is accepting applications for violence reduction grants of up to $30,000 for community programs.
The takeaway
Public safety measures at gatherings depend heavily on state law, so residents may want to follow legislative proposals that would expand local authority. Community groups can explore Bloomington's violence reduction grants to support local prevention work.
Further reading
Explore more in Bloomington Violence coverage for local context on gun safety efforts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indiana Public Media.
