All too often, city officials in pro-gun states focus on the wrong things after a high-profile shooting of some sort. Rather than think about what they can do, they often jump immediately to demanding the ability to pass gun control laws.

Louisville officials aren't any different in that regard. They want to pass gun control on the local level so badly that most of them can taste it.

But, they can't.

So I was pleased to see them at least use the horrible anniversary of a shooting to at least talk about what they did and can do to reduce acts of violence rather than what they can't and shouldn't be able to do.

As investigators continue to wait for information that can bring closure to the Huff and Goodman families, Greenberg said the city has taken action to increase security at city parks, including the installation of $4 million worth of new lighting in various parks. 

Greenberg also pledged to continue to invest in violence intervention programs to help educate children on the dangers of gun violence before they even have an opportunity to pick up a gun. Louisville is also working towards universal pre-k for Louisville families to help break the cycle of violence.

Meanwhile, city leaders continue to work to get justice for Huff and Goodman, and again called on the public to come forward with information. The police chief even made an appeal directly to the shooter. 

"I'm actually pleading to the suspects in this case -- please come forward, give even yourself the peace you need and make this situation right," Gwinn-Villaroel said.

I doubt they're lacking any feelings of peace. They were probably treated like rock stars.

But I have to give credit to Louisville for at least trying to address violence without restricting people's rights, and some of it isn't terrible.

Increased lighting at parks may well help prevent countless attacks in the parks after dark--bad guys don't like it when their victims can see them well enough to make a positive ID in a line-up, after all--and I'm glad to see them try to work with families to break the cycle of violence. That's very important.

I don't think violence intervention programs for young kids are going to accomplish all that much, especially since it's virtually impossible to override the cultural impact of what they see on a day-to-day basis in their communities with a class few are even paying attention do, but it's better than nothing.

And I sincerely hope it all works. I really do.

Gun control doesn't accomplish anything except to disarm the law-abiding. It doesn't disarm the people who would open fire in a crowded park. Especially when you consider the penalties available to local governments. There's really not much of a deterrent there, and that's if penalties really over any deterrent whatsoever.

After all, most of these dipsticks think they're slick enough to never get caught.

So maybe these efforts will help instead. Maybe Louisville will find a way to curb their own issues with violence and shine a light for other communities to follow.

It would be a nice change of pace if nothing else.