A new Iowa law that went into effect on July 1st, now allows for firearms into certain public buildings.

One of those buildings is the Greene County Courthouse, where the County Board of Supervisors approved a policy prohibiting firearms and other dangerous weapons from coming inside the courthouse, which was passed in 2011, and the new state law supersedes. Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn says he believes local government should have the right to make its own decisions of how to govern its property and citizens. He notes, once the state or federal legislature makes laws taking away the ability of local governments to make those decisions, it reduces the liberty and autonomy of the citizens. 

Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams tells Raccoon Valley Radio he agrees with the new law but explains his concern with it when it comes to when court proceedings at the courthouse.

“A judge ruling could irritate somebody to the point of drawing a weapon. So I do think we need to address something to help prevent people from carrying firearms during court days on the third floor of the courthouse or at the magistrate’s hallway on Wednesday when they have court.”

Williams points out another issue is if the County wanted to continue to deny members of the public from accessing the courthouse with a firearm, there can only be one unlocked entry door and that door must have an armed deputy checking each individual that enters, required by law. 

“We should have to essentially hire two more deputies to cover the Monday through Friday at the courthouse. Because the door has to be covered every minute that the courthouse is open. So the deputy would have to be able to use the restroom, go eat, take time off and that kind of thing. So I would have to hire two people to effectively cover it.”

In having discussions with the Supervisors, Williams does not foresee having to go to those lengths, but rather just abide by the new law.