INDIANAPOLIS -- A proposal to allow guns in Indianapolis parks will go before the City-County Council Monday, a measure its sponsor admits will be controversial.

Current law bans weapons in city parks, but they are permitted in state parks and will soon be allowed in national parks, 6News' Joanna Massee reported.

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If passed, the law would allow anyone with a permit to carry a weapon to do so in a city park.

City-County Councilor Ed Coleman, a member of the National Rifle Association, said he's ready to debate the merits of his proposal.

"I didn't say I'm allowing guns just by everybody," Coleman said. "I'm saying that law-abiding citizens who are properly licensed to carry firearms would be allowed to carry those in parks."

Coleman is an unabashed supporter of the right to keep and bear arms and argues that the measure would allow people to be equipped to defend themselves in city parks.

"Criminals don't care if there's a law, and they're going to bring it there anyway," Coleman said. "I think I would feel safer knowing that there's a chance an adult might actually have one, and it might make the criminal second guess whether he might want to do something stupid in a city park."

Coleman anticipates that a representative of the NRA may testify in support of his proposal.

Libertarian Party of Marion County Chairman Tim Maguire is also in favor of changing the law.

“What we want to defend is the individual’s right to protect themselves in the parks, just as they are able to protect themselves on city streets,” Maguire said.

Many people believe guns shouldn't be permitted in city parks, including David Mason, a member of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence.

"This was the first I'd heard of it, and we would always oppose such a bill," Mason said. "This bill is shameful, and it's a waste of our time."

Many residents who were visiting city parks were opposed to the idea of legalizing weapons.

"I'm completely against it," said Whitney Threewits, who brings her dog to Broad Ripple Park each day.

Other city councilors 6News contacted didn't want to comment, saying it's premature to pass judgment on the proposal.

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