The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would allow Iowans who are legally permitted to carry firearms to keep guns in their locked vehicles in state, county and city parking lots.
Republican Sen. Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the bill protects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Iowans who want to do business in facilities supported by their tax dollars.
Sen. Art Staed, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids who voted against the bill, says allowing guns to be left in public parking lots makes it more difficult to protect employees and visitors.
The Senate also gave near-unanimous approval to a separate bill that would allow state lawmakers, judges and the attorney general to obtain a professional permit to carry a weapon.
