Johnson County, Iowa City eyeing gun bans

IOWA CITY – Johnson County is on its way to banning guns on its property, and Iowa City may soon do the same.

The county's Board of Supervisors Thursday night indicated it would support a resolution banning firearms and other dangerous weapons from county buildings, parks, grounds and parking lots. Rod Sullivan said it was a matter of safety for the public and county employees who often deal with irate people.

“The idea of that angry person having a gun is something our employees are really concerned about,” he said.

The supervisors discussed the issue at an informal meeting and expect to vote on the resolution next week. All of the supervisors spoke in favor of the ban.

On Monday, the City Council in Iowa City is to discuss a proposal to ban guns and weapons on city property and buses, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday. Guns were recently banned from the Iowa City Public Library.

The issue has been popping up in communities across Iowa since a change in state law that took effect Jan. 1 that eases restrictions on the issuance of gun permits and removed a sheriff's ability to require guns to be concealed.

Washington County and the cities of Marion and Kalona backed away from proposed gun bans in the face of public opposition.

About 15 people attended Thursday's Johnson County meeting, and a uniformed sheriff's deputy stood in the rear, an extremely rare occurrence at a county meeting.

Among the arguments of the several people who spoke against the resolution were that putting up a sign isn't going to stop someone intent on doing harm and they have a constitutional right to carry a weapon.

“I believe it's a civil rights issue,” said Scott Pennebaker of Cedar Rapids.

Opponents of the restrictions also contend local authorities cannot pre-empt state law. The Iowa Attorney General's Office, however, has said local governments can regulate firearms on their properties.

A couple of people spoke in favor of a gun ban.

“That makes me uncomfortable to think that the person next to me is armed,” said Gene Szymkowiak of Coralville.

Exempt from the county resolution would be law enforcement officers, active military personnel, correctional officers and prisoner transport personnel. Other people could receive permission from the sheriff, and the county's Conservation Board can authorize the use of weapons for training and hunting on property it oversees. Weapons could be left in vehicles on county property.

In Iowa City, exceptions would be granted to sworn peace officers and people who hold a professional permit to carry, like state-licensed private investigators and security officers. Unloaded and properly cased guns would be allowed in vehicles in city lots, but not in the passenger compartment.

Supervisor Janelle Rettig has in recent weeks noted that, at a meeting in December, a rural Johnson County man upset at the amount of county taxes he pays made an indirect threat.

Walter Portwood told the supervisors that people wonder why some people “go off their rocker” and “get a gun and get even,” and “sometimes it makes a guy even consider it,” according to the recorded minutes of the meeting.

“You can't stop the person shooting,” she said Thursday, “but you can help with the intimidation factor.”