JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3, urged other city leaders to oppose state lawmakers as they seek to weaken local gun regulations.

Stokes said youth crimes involving guns have reached record numbers. He’s worried open carry could make them worse.

Two bills before the House Judiciary B Committee could loosen local governments’ control over open carry or other gun limitations.

Stokes said the City Council should consider giving the city’s legal department the authority to file suit against the state, if the efforts move forward.

“We believe that it is necessary that we go into a court of law and get a judge to rule that open carry is wrong. That’s the only way we’re going to stop some of these killings that’s taking place throughout Mississippi, not just in Jackson, Vicksburg, McComb, Canton, other cities, but the majority in Jackson. We must challenge open carry in the state of Mississippi,” Stokes said.

He said the issue will be on the next City Council meeting agenda.