Iowa City to consider gun ban on city property

The Iowa City Council Monday night asked city staff to develop a proposal that would ban firearms on city-owned property.

The topic came up very briefly at a work session, and council members did not discuss how they might vote.

The exception was Regenia Bailey, who broached the topic and said “it just makes sense” to ban guns on municipal property.

Her interest comes in response to changes to the state's gun law that took effect Jan. 1 that ease restrictions on the issuance of gun permits and allows people to carry guns in the open.

City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes said staff would develop a resolution for the council to consider. Her office has already said it believes the Iowa City Public Library can prohibit firearms, and Dilkes said “the conclusion is essentially the same” for a broader ban on city property.

The Iowa Attorney General's Office also has said cities and counties can regulate firearms on their properties, something gun rights supporters dispute.

Johnson County also is considering banning guns on county property, although a specific proposal has not been drawn up.

The issue has been popping up recently throughout the state.

More than 80 gun rights activists attended a Marion City Council meeting last week in which an ordinance that would have banned openly displayimeng firearms in municipal buildings was defeated by a 4-3 vote.