Linn supervisors likely to ban weapons on county property

Linn County supervisors will likely continue the present ban on weapons on county property.

The supervisors reviewed a draft policy this morning that would ban “any firearm or other dangerous weapon” from any county property, clarifying present rules that prohibit most employees from carrying weapons in the county courthouse.

“The actual thing is simple,” said Assistant Linn County Attorney Jeff Clark, who wrote the draft. “You can't have a firearm or dangerous weapon on county property. That's the premise.”

The Legislature's action last year liberalizing the rules on civilian firearms permits has many local governments reviewing their weapons policies. The owner of Westdale Mall has a weapons ban that extends to the county offices temporarily housed there since the June 2008 flood.

The new rule would be a policy, not an ordinance – violators who refuse a request to leave county property could be charged with trespassing. It includes exceptions for licensed professionals doing business with the county and allows the county conservation board to designate property for hunting and shooting ranges.

The rule would allow licensed weapons holders to keep their firearms in their vehicle when parked in a county lot.

“This isn't breaking any new ground,” said District 4 Supervisor Brent Oleson, noting weapons are banned from the state Capitol, schools, and courthouses. “We're just joining legislators and others who have extended themselves this exemption.”

The proposed policy will be up for adoption next week or the following week.