City of Decorah to write up ordinance banning guns on city property

The City of Decorah's Public Safety Committee is calling on City Attorney Rick Zahasky to write up an ordinance prohibiting firearms on city property. The move comes in response to new laws that make it easier to get gun permits.

The new ordinance would prohibit anyone besides professional law enforcement officers from carrying firearms on city property. Violators would be asked to leave city property--then would be charged with trespassing if they refused.

Once the ordinance is drafted, the Decorah City Council will hold a public hearing. "If someone's got a legitimate reason (to be allowed to carry firearms on city property), they should let us know, but I don't see one," said city council member Paul Wanless.