Aurora officials to close assault-weapons loophole

Private investigators and security guards are about a week away from being able to possess and transport their job-related assault weapons in Aurora without criminal consequences.

Aldermen, at Tuesday's committee of the whole meeting, recommended bringing the city code in line with the state law that already allows private security contractors, private detectives, private alarm contractors and security guards licensed by the state to carry their job-related weapons.

The city ordinance initially only exempted police and military officials from the citywide ban on owning, selling, using or displaying assault weapons and ammunition.

The change was brought about by a local private investigator who noticed Aurora's restrictive code, which was initially written to keep assault weapons and ammunition out of the hands of local street gangs and other criminals.

"This was brought to our attention and it turns out our ordinance was a bit outdated in these regards," said Third Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, who later admitted she was surprised the agenda item initiated no further discussion before being placed on the City Council agenda for next Tuesday.

The state requires training and licensing of private investigators and security guards before they can carry assault weapons. Guards and private investigators must also carry identification with them any time they have the weapons.

According to the ordinance expected to be adopted by the city council Tuesday and already enacted at the state level, private investigators can carry assault weapons at any time, but security guards can only carry them for one hour before and one hour after their shift.