LOWELL — The city will review police policies on granting licenses to carry firearms after a group of residents complained to the City Council Tuesday that the policies are too strict.

The Police Department grants licenses to those in law enforcement, business owners, and those who are the victims of violent crimes, resident Bettina Romberg said — but not general law-abiding citizens.

“This is a huge injustice,” said Romberg, the first of nine residents to express frustration with current policies, who were joined by several dozen supporters. “Why do I have to be the victim of a violent crime to be allowed to carry a concealed firearm to protect my loved ones?”

Another resident, Arthur Perkins, called it telling that Lowell police allow violent-crime victims to carry a gun, but not many others. “So they recognize that a firearm is a legitimate form of defense,” he said.

The City Council voted unanimously to review the city’s policies and standards on firearm licenses. Mayor Rodney Elliott was absent from the meeting.

“We should at least be fair,” Councilor Rita Mercier said.

Bill Samaras said he saw both the right to bear arms and concerns about instances like school shootings. “At this point, I’m not really ready to make any kind of judgment,” he said.

Police Superintendent William Taylor, who decides whether to grant a resident a firearm license, was at the meeting but did not speak.

In 2012, Lowell issued more than 1,700 Class A licenses to carry firearms, an increase of 36 percent in a five-year period. Taylor became the head of the department in 2013.

In other action Tuesday, the council approved the following actions:

n Borrowing $6.6 million to repair the Leo A. Roy and Lower Locks parking garages, which are both more than 30 years old and in need of repairs to deteriorating concrete, poor drainage and other issues. Renovation of the garages, both more than 30 years old, is expected to take place over a 14- to 16-month period starting this summer, with small sections of the garages closed off at a time to allow crews to make the repairs.

Money being borrowed to pay for the repairs will be repaid with the city’s parking enterprise fund, which earns revenue from parking fees.

n Requesting that the city appeal to the state for help paying for the Feb. 8-9 snowstorm that dumped 18 inches of snow on Lowell. The city would not normally be eligible for reimbursement because the storm was not a declared state of emergency.

Councilor Ed Kennedy suggested the city petition for special relief from the state to help pay for winter storm costs that this winter have hit about $3.8 million.

Follow Grant Welker on Twitter and Tout @SunGrantWelker.