Carry in Parks

[davegran]

Hi Neighbors,
I'll be coming to Iowa to do some camping and canoeing in the next few weeks. I hold a Wisconsin CCL and have interpreted Iowa law to state that I can't carry in a place designated as a "park". Does that include a park not in a city?

724.4A Weapons free zones — enhanced penalties.
1. As used in this section, “weapons free zone” means the area in or on, or within one
thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary
school, or in or on the real property comprising a public park.

Thanks,

 

[Tucker6900]

Hi Neighbors,
I'll be coming to Iowa to do some camping and canoeing in the next few weeks. I hold a Wisconsin CCL and have interpreted Iowa law to state that I can't carry in a place designated as a "park". Does that include a park not in a city?
Thanks,

Nothing in the law states that you cannot carry into a park. The code you listed.....

724.4A Weapons free zones — enhanced penalties.
1. As used in this section, “weapons free zone” means the area in or on, or within one
thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary
school, or in or on the real property comprising a public park.

...is nothing more than what it states. "Enhanced Penalty." Basically, you can carry in a park. The statute is there to potentially double any penalty for a firearms offense while within the dreaded "1000" foot mark.

If this were to prevent guns within that zone, lots of people would instantly be in violation when they walked out the door of their home with a gun. So, in my, amateur, non-lawyer, study the laws on my own time, opinion, yes. You can carry in a park.

 

[amaixner]

Nothing in the law states that you cannot carry into a park. The code you listed.....
...is nothing more than what it states. "Enhanced Penalty." Basically, you can carry in a park. The statute is there to potentially double any penalty for a firearms offense while within the dreaded "1000" foot mark.
If this were to prevent guns within that zone, lots of people would instantly be in violation when they walked out the door of their home with a gun. So, in my, amateur, non-lawyer, study the laws on my own time, opinion, yes. You can carry in a park.

Correct. That's the opinion of lawyers also.

 

[davegran]

Thanks, guys.