Similar preemption laws became common among Republican-controlled states seeking to rein in more liberal cities, and this measure is part of a larger trend of the Indiana state government passing preemption laws against cities that might seek to pass more liberal local regulations on issues such as minimum wage, sick leave, banking, and single-use plastics.

[3] In recent years, Indianapolis has contended with a rise in homicides, and also experienced several high-profile mass shootings, with the violent crime rate becoming one of the top political issues.

[7] In April 2021, the deadliest mass shooting in Indiana history occurred, when a shooter killed 8 workers, and himself, and injured 7, with an assault weapon at an Indianapolis FedEx facility.

[8] In 2022, just days after the constitutional carry state law went into effect, a mass shooting at Greenwood Park Mall just outside of Indianapolis left 3 dead and 2 injured before the shooter was killed by an armed bystander.

[9] On April 21, 2023, the incident that was most cited as instigating the proposal occurred, when a suspect being pursued by Indianapolis police opened fire with an AR-15 style assault weapon—injuring two officers.

The ordinance acknowledges its unenforceability and states any part of its gun control measures will only take effect at such time as it becomes enforceable under relevant governing laws as determined by the county counsel.

[20] The other plans included raising police pay and retention incentives; hiring three prosecutors to serve on detail for the US Attorney's office; boosting summer youth programs; cracking down on bars and other businesses with high rates of crime, under the state nuisance law; and giving the city the power to declare and enforce gun-free zones, when applied for during the permitting process for special events.

[21] The legislation was introduced as Proposal 156 on June 5, 2023, by councilors LeRoy Robinson (chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee), Vop Osili (council president), Zach Adamson, Maggie Lewis, Dan Boots and John Barth.

[23] At each hearing, a large contingent of Moms Demand Action Indianapolis activists in red shirts sat in the gallery and spoke in support of the proposal.

[29] However, with Republicans holding a large majority in the Indiana General Assembly, there was no expectation that the state government would change the preemption law, or even take up the issue at all.

Rokita's office issued a Memorandum of Legal Guidance on July 13 that asserted the ordinance was unconstitutional and declared it an "effort to distract the public.

[34] His campaign released an ad stating "Here's the truth; Jefferson Shreve supports the ban on assault weapons and the repeal of permitless carry.

"[35] Shreve criticized Hogsett's administration for focusing on an unenforceable ordinance during an election season after 8 years in office, after the state legislative session was already over.

Shreve's proposals were met with some backlash from conservatives, with Freeman calling his position a "mistake" while still endorsing him, and local rightwing talk radio station WIBC's hosts predicting it could cost him the election.

[30][35][34] The NRA released a statement harshly criticizing the ordinance and Shreve's plan, advocating for more prosecution of the violent crimes themselves without placing additional restrictions on gun ownership.