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Gun bans for Iowa public buildings being debated
(AP) - Gun bans for Iowa's courthouses, city halls and other civic buildings are being debated across the state.
The new state law that eases the way for Iowa residents to carry guns has led to the discussion by city councils and county boards.
Woodbury County supervisors already have rejected a proposal to ban guns from county-owned buildings. Waterloo passed a city ban last week. The Des Moines Register says ban proposals have been floated in Clay, Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Johnson and Washington counties.
Iowa's new gun law took effect Jan. 1. It limits the discretion local sheriffs previously had in denying permits without explanation. Now, sheriffs may deny applications for specific reasons only.
Allison Johnson of Cedar Rapids signs her name for her gun permit application on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at the Linn County Sheriff's Office in Cedar Rapids. This is Johnson's first permit, but her fiance George Bohren waited in a line of at least 20 people earlier in December to renew his permit. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
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