The whip-banning polity that is Reno

The Reno City Council voted to ban the possession and use of whips without a permit in downtown Reno on Wednesday.

Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus, who said she was not present when the ordinance was introduced, was the only no vote.

Brekhus said that she wants the ordinance applied city-wide and expressed concern that as is, the ban targets certain demographics.

City attorney Karl Hall explained that the ordinance is restricted to the downtown area because complaints to the police were concentrated in that area. He added that there may be areas outside of downtown where whips may be useful.

…Hall also said that those who have a legitimate use for a whip downtown can receive a permit.

This second article I find stranger yet:

The change approved Wednesday comes after police reported a steep increase over the past two years of 911 calls from residents who mistake the sound of a cracking whip for gunfire.

He said they’re also being used in public areas for fights and intimidation.

Lily Baran spoke against the ordinance earlier on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union. She said that the homeless community is known for using the whips and that the ordinance will “perpetuate the criminalization of the unhoused.”

Model that!  Here is the full main story, via the estimable Chug.