Last week the Iowa Supreme Court published an opinion piece wherein they announced their intention to disregard the legislation passed earlier this year that would end ‘Gun Free Zones’ in county government buildings.
Never mind the fact that the duly elected legislature passed this bill.
Never mind the fact that then-Governor Terry Branstad signed it into law, in accordance with his constitutional authority.
Never mind the fact that the court’s job is to apply the law, not create it.
None of that matters, apparently, in the eyes of our unelected Supreme Court justices.
Of course, their opinion piece did not simply seek to eliminate guns from the courtroom, something that many gun owners would understand.
No, the Supreme Court is seeking to leave you defenseless in all areas of the county courthouse by specifically mentioning the ‘public areas’ that Iowans conduct business in every day as being off-limits to gun owners.
Headed to the courthouse to pay your property taxes — they want you to disarm first.
Going to pick up license plates for a new vehicle you’ve purchased — they want you to disarm first.
Taking your child to the courthouse to get his driver’s license for the first time — they want you to disarm first.
In the wake of this published opinion, Iowa Gun Owners has been flooded with calls, emails, and Facebook messages from outraged gun owners who want to know what our options are.
And while lawsuits are being contemplated by certain parties, what takes place in Woodbury County later today is far more important and practical to most gun owners.
That’s because later this afternoon, Matthew Ung — Chairman of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors — will be seeking to advance an agenda item to disregard the court’s opinion and conform with the new Iowa code that takes effect on July 1!
In so doing, Chairman Ung is seeking to end the current ‘Gun Free Zone’ policies at the county courthouse and, instead, follow the new law that allows permit holders to carry on city and county property.
If approved, the Woodbury County courthouse wouldn’t turn into the Wild West as the armed sheriff’s deputies would still be on duty.
Rather, the courthouse will follow the same protocols as the Iowa Capitol will follow beginning next week, which is to have security in place but to allow Iowans with a permit to remain armed if they so desire.
In so doing, Chairman Ung is seeking to follow the new code of Iowa, which says:
724.28 Prohibition of regulation by political subdivisions.
1. As used in this section, “political subdivision of the state” means a city, county, or township.
2. A political subdivision of the state shall not enact an ordinance regulating the ownership, possession, legal transfer, lawful transportation, registration, or licensing of firearms when the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation is otherwise lawful under the laws of this state.
3. If a political subdivision of the state, prior to, on, or after July 1, 2017, adopts, makes, enacts, or amends any ordinance, measure, enactment, rule, resolution, motion, or policy regulating the ownership, possession, legal transfer, lawful transportation, registration, or licensing of firearms when the ownership, possession, transfer, transportation, registration, or license is otherwise lawful under the laws of this state, a person adversely affected by the ordinance, measure, enactment, rule, resolution, motion, or policy may file suit in the appropriate court for declaratory and injunctive relief for damages.
At the end of the day, it is the legislature’s job to create law and the court’s job to apply that law — they are not a legislative body who can create law on their own initiative.
But we need your help!
Please take a moment –- especially if you live in Woodbury Co. –- to contact the county supervisors right away, and urge them to comply with the new law when voting later on tonight.
Please contact:
>>> Matthew Ung, Chairman,
[email protected]
>>> Jeremy Taylor, Vice-Chair,
[email protected], 712-259-7910
>>> Marty Pottebaum, [email protected], 712-259-1799
>>> Rocky DeWitt, [email protected], 712-253-0421
>>> Keith Radig, [email protected], 712-560-6542
Again, your message is simple, ask them to follow the law as passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor and do away with these deadly ‘Gun Free Zones.’
This will be a big moment here in Iowa!
If Chairman Ung and the Woodbury County Supervisors follow the law, it will provide the remedy that so many of you are seeking in light of the court’s recent opinion.
Please take action right away!
For Freedom,
P.S. At 4:30pm today, the Woodbury County Supervisors will be meeting to discuss their weapons policy in light of the recent State Supreme Court opinion and the newly passed state law.
Board Chairman Matthew Ung will be moving forward an agenda item to make the county comply with Iowa code and do away with their current ‘Gun Free Zones’ policy at the county courthouse and other county buildings.
If Woodbury County can get this done, it will be the path forward for other counties who are trying to decide what to do with their policies in light of the recent state Supreme Court opinion that bans guns throughout court houses.
Please contact the supervisors immediately, and urge them to follow Iowa code by approving Chairman Ung’s proposal when they meet later this afternoon!
Their contact information is above.
Iowa Gun Owners will be reporting tonight from the meeting, so make sure you’re following our Facebook page!
