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Open carry City/Town Hall?

Not A Victim

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2012
Messages
23
Location
Le Mars, Iowa
23 views and not even a simple yes or no answer. Well after doing some research in the Iowa forum. It turns out you can carry a firearm on any public property as long as you have a permit. So the answer to my question is yes, unless if I miss something.
 

amaixner

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
308
Location
Linn County, Iowa
23 views and not even a simple yes or no answer. Well after doing some research in the Iowa forum. It turns out you can carry a firearm on any public property as long as you have a permit. So the answer to my question is yes, unless if I miss something.

Yes. But bring a recorder. Additionally, they cannot trespass you off of city hall if you have a valid reason to be there -- business to attend to with the city, voting, etc.
Not all polls are this way: My polling is in a state and federal disarmed victim zone (school), so I can't carry a loaded firearm there.
 

bnhcomputing

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
1,709
Location
Wisconsin, USA
I would rethink your plans.....

According to: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/iowa.pdf


Note: Some Cities and Counties are passing ordinances stating their property is off limits. They will post signs. The Iowa Attorney General in Opinion No. 03-4-1 stated:
….narrowly and find that the statute does not interfere with the authority of a city to exercise its home rule
power to place restrictions upon the possession of weapons which apply only to buildings owned or directly
controlled by the city….
If City/County Property is posted you can be arrested and be the test case. RKBA groups are working
to get proper legislation to void this AG Opinion. Until then I would not carry on any City/County
Property that is posted.
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. A weapons free zone shall not include that portion of a public park designated as a
hunting area under section 461A.42.
2. Notwithstanding sections 902.9 and 903.1, a person who commits a public offense involving a firearm or
offensive weapon, within a weapons free zone, in violation of this or any other chapter shall be subject to a
fine of twice the maximum amount which may otherwise be imposed for the public offense.

Read the whole think, consult an attorney, and then decide for yourself.
 

amaixner

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
308
Location
Linn County, Iowa
According to: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/iowa.pdf

Read the whole think, consult an attorney, and then decide for yourself.
I have no idea what the 724.4A "enhanced penalty zone school/park" law has to do with carrying at a city administration building.

Regardless, the AG is an anti-gun bigot who grasps at any straw possible to justify his roundabout arguments. Read the state pre-emption clause, followed by the state trespass statutes for public property, then carry to your heart's content. Enjoying the future payday if your civil rights are violated under color of law is just an added bonus. Recording any violation will make a lawsuit easier.
 
Last edited:

Tucker6900

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
1,279
Location
Iowa, USA
Regardless, the AG is an anti-gun bigot who grasps at any straw possible to justify his roundabout arguments.

No better truth has ever been spoken.

Read the state pre-emption clause, followed by the state trespass statutes for public property, then carry to your heart's content. Enjoying the future payday if your civil rights are violated under color of law is just an added bonus. Recording any violation will make a lawsuit easier.

To the OP, one of the arguments you may hear is the "home rule" snafu. Some localities believe home rule grants them to power to prohibit firearms, when it truth, and with a simple reading, states otherwise.

As said, carry on, but bring something to record the visit. Whether it good or bad, you have the right to carry and record. Also, it may be wise to have another person there with you recording for further police/city accountability.
 
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