A mother and her teenage son from Chandler are advocating for legislative action to ban brass knuckles in Arizona following a traumatic incident outside a Gilbert restaurant. The incident, reminiscent of the Preston Lord case, has fueled their determination to address the issue at a statewide level.

On December 30, 2022, in the parking lot of an In-N-Out in Gilbert, Stephanie Jarnagan’s son, Connor, faced an attack by a group of individuals. The seemingly friendly encounter turned violent when one of them demanded $20. Refusing to comply, Connor found himself targeted, with one assailant wielding brass knuckles.

The Violent Encounter

Connor recounted the incident, stating that initially, the group made comments about his car and appeared friendly. However, the situation escalated when a demand for money was made. Refusing to surrender, Connor became the victim of a brutal assault, sustaining a head injury from the brass knuckles.

“We were waiting for another friend, and at first, they were friendly. Then one demanded $20. I said ‘no,’ and then one of them said, ‘The keys are in his car, get his car.’ I stood in his way, and that’s when I was hit in the head,” Connor explained.

The severity of the attack required a visit to the emergency room, where Connor underwent a three-hour treatment, including having his head stapled to address the injury.

Advocacy for Change

In response to this traumatic incident, Stephanie and Connor are actively working to prevent similar occurrences. Connor has taken the initiative to reach out to legislators, advocating for the introduction of a statewide ban on brass knuckles.

“Why do we need brass knuckles in our community? There is no need other than violence,” Connor emphasized, expressing the urgency to address the availability and use of such weapons.

Legislative Support

Encouragingly, Arizona State Senator John Kavanagh has joined forces with Connor in his endeavor. The senator has committed to collaborating on the drafting of a bill that aims to implement a comprehensive ban on brass knuckles across the state. This collaboration brings hope to Stephanie and Connor, who are optimistic that their advocacy will lead to positive legislative changes.

“We’re really excited to work with him and go through this process with him,” Connor expressed, highlighting the importance of their partnership with Senator Kavanagh.

Advocating for a Safer Arizona

Stephanie and Connor’s advocacy for a statewide ban on brass knuckles is driven by a harrowing personal experience. Their collaboration with Senator Kavanagh reflects a united effort to enhance the safety of Arizona communities by addressing the potential threats posed by such weapons. As they navigate the legislative process, their goal is to ensure that no one else falls victim to the devastating consequences of brass knuckle-related violence.