(1)
Dangerous weapons. No
member of the public shall carry a dangerous weapon in department facilities.
This provision applies to any member of the public whether or not the
individual possesses a valid Iowa permit to carry weapons. This provision does
not apply to:
a. A peace officer as defined
in Iowa Code section 801.4 or a member of the armed
forces of the United States or of the national guard, when the person's duties
or lawful activities require or permit possession of a dangerous
weapon.
b. A person possessing a
valid Iowa professional permit to carry a weapon whose duties require that
person to carry a dangerous weapon.
c. A person who possesses a dangerous weapon
for any purpose authorized by a state agency to further the statutory or
regulatory responsibilities of that agency. An authorization issued pursuant to
this paragraph shall not become effective until it has been issued in writing
to the person or persons to whom it applies and until copies of the
authorization have been received by the director and by the commissioner of
public safety.
d. Members of
recognized military veterans organizations performing honor guard service as
provided in Iowa Code section
35A.12.
Violation of this subrule is a simple misdemeanor, pursuant to
Iowa Code section 8A.322, and may result in the
denial of access to a state building, filing of criminal charges or expulsion
from the grounds of the department's facilities, or any combination thereof, of
any individual who knowingly violates the subrule. In addition, any weapon
found in the possession of a member of the public in violation of this subrule
may be confiscated. Charges may be filed under any other criminal statute if
appropriate. Officers employed by or under the supervision of the department of
public safety shall have the authority to enforce this subrule. Peace officers
employed by other agencies shall have the authority to enforce this subrule at
the request of the commissioner of public safety or in response to a request
for assistance from an officer employed by the department of public safety or
at the request of the director or the director's
designee.
(2)
Building access and security. The department shall take
reasonable and appropriate measures to ensure the safety of persons and
property in department facilities. These measures may include, but are not
limited to, the following:
a. Requiring any
member of the public entering department facilities to (1) provide
identification upon request; (2) allow the member of the public to be scanned
with metal detecting equipment; and (3) allow any parcel, package, luggage,
purse, or briefcase that the person is bringing into department facilities to
be examined with X-ray equipment or to have the contents thereof examined, or
both.
b. Requiring any member of
the public who is inside department facilities outside normal business hours,
other than when facilities are open to the public during a scheduled event, to
provide identification and to state the nature of the person's business in the
facility. A member of the public who is in department facilities outside normal
business hours, other than during a scheduled event, and who does not have
authorization to be on the premises may be required to exit the building and be
escorted from the building.
c.
Limiting public access to department facilities to selected entrances. Access
to each building through at least one entrance accessible to persons with
disabilities shall be maintained.
d. Limiting hours during which public access
to department facilities is allowed.
e. Confiscating any container including, but
not limited to, packages, bags, briefcases, or boxes that are left in public
areas when department facilities are not open to the public. Any confiscated
container may be searched or destroyed, or both, or may be returned to the
owner. Any container that is left unattended in a public area during hours in
which department facilities are open to the public may be examined.
Violation of this subrule is a simple misdemeanor, pursuant to
Iowa Code section 8A.322, and may result in the
denial of access to a state building, filing of criminal charges or expulsion
from department facilities, or any combination thereof, of the individual who
knowingly violates the subrule. Charges may be filed under any other criminal
statute if appropriate. Officers employed by or under the supervision of the
department of public safety shall have the authority to enforce this subrule.
Peace officers employed by other agencies shall also have the authority to
enforce this subrule.
(3)
Access barriers. The
director may cause the temporary or permanent placement of barricades, ropes,
signs, or other barriers to limit access to certain parts of department
facilities. Unauthorized persons beyond the barriers may be removed with the
assistance of law enforcement officers or charged with a criminal offense if
appropriate, or both.
