New weapons policy set for Linn County

People holding the county-issued permit will be allowed to carry concealed firearms on most Linn County property under a policy adopted by supervisors this morning.

The policy bans guns carried openly, and all guns will be prohibited at the county courthouse, jail, and the juvenile justice center when it's opened. The new policy was adopted 4-1, with District 2 Supervisor Linda Langston the sole dissent.

“I still think there are other places in the county where it's not appropriate to carry weapons,” said Langston, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids.

As drafted the policy would have banned all firearms from county property, but the supervisors' vote means permit holders may carry concealed weapons in most county offices.

“It's a good compromise,” said Glenn Modracek, who addressed the supervisors before their debate urging a liberal policy.

“It's something you can live with,” agreed Harold Scadden of Marion, another of the four who addressed supervisors during the meeting's comment period.

Visitors to the buildings were all weapons are banned pass through a metal detector.

“The law-abiding people obey the law, and that leaves some people vulnerable to attack,” said Modracek, but that worry is addressed by the screening.

The county's conservation board will continue to set the weapons policy for property it manages, including. Licensed holders may keep firearms in their vehicle when parked in a county lot.

Permit holders doing business at county offices temporarily housed at Westdale Mall must continue to leave their weapons behind. The mall's owner has a weapons-free policy.