(Radio Iowa) — A bill introduced in the Iowa House would forbid most Iowa school districts, cities and counties from banning guns in public buildings. Gun bans could only be enforced in public buildings that screen the public at entry points and have armed security officers inside. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, is a key advocate for the bill.

“I happen to believe that ‘gun free zones’ is an invitation to crazy people, an invitation to sick people because nobody that has ever done a mass shooting has ever obeyed the law,” Hotl says, “because it is illegal to kill people.” A gun ban makes a public place a “shooting gallery” according to Holt.

“How does anybody believe a sign is going to stop a sick individual who has decided to murder innocent people?” Holt asked. “What it will do is stop law-abiding citizens from carrying their firearms into that situation, so this is — as far as I’m concerned — about the health and safety of all Iowans.” Scott Peterson, interim executive director of Iowans for Gun Safety, says it takes training to assess an active shooter situation.

“Law enforcement and military…if there’s a shooting or a hot situation, the last thing they want is for people to start pulling out guns and shooting,” he says. Seventeen-year-old Ellie Miglin, a student at Des Moines Roosevelt High School, says because of school shootings, her generation supports enhancing rather than relaxing gun regulations.

“Why aren’t we doing more to reflect on how our society has changed?” she asks. Miglin and Peterson spoke at a statehouse event arranged by the “We Can End Gun Violence Iowa Coalition.”

Authorities in Council Bluffs and Omaha are on the lookout for a white male about 20-to 30+ years of age, who was involved in armed robbery incidents Monday afternoon. Council Bluffs Police say Tractor Supply Company (329 Veterans Memorial Hwy) employees reported a theft of merchandise (with the suspect seen in the picture below).

Tractor Supply robbery suspect

The suspect attempted to flee the store and enter a gray Dodge Ram pickup. Employees attempted to stop the male suspect when he displayed a handgun. The suspect fled the scene in the pickup truck southbound on Piute Street. As officers were responding, a report of a carjacking at Heartland Christian School was received. The adult male victim was told by the suspect that he had gotten jumped and needed a ride. The victim stated that he couldn’t because he was picking up his children. The suspect then displayed a handgun and fled in the victim’s 2008 Chevy Suburban.

The Suburban was located fleeing westbound on Veterans Highway at S. 24th, then north on 24th Street to I‐80 Westbound. Officers caught up to the Suburban and initiated a pursuit when the driver refused to stop. Officers continued to pursue the vehicle to the area of South 10th Street, where they lost sight of the Suburban. The driver had abandoned the vehicle at 2740 S. 9th Street.

Omaha Police assisted in searching for the suspect with helicopter “Able 1,” and K9 units. The suspect remains at large as of the latest report. He is to be considered armed and dangerous. If you see the suspect, call Council Bluffs Crime Stoppers at 1-712-328-STOP. None of the victims were injured during the robberies.

The annual meeting of the Cass County Tourism Committee is set to take place 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11th, in Atlantic. The event (originally set to be held in the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce’ meeting room), will instead be held at the American Legion Memorial Building, in Atlantic (The Armory at 2nd & Poplar).

The Cass County Tourism Council’s purpose is to promote area attractions, and to continually develop and market the culture, history and economic well-being of Cass County, Iowa. The 2018 Economic Impact Assessment of Travel in Iowa reports that domestic travelers generated a total of $517,500,000 in tax receipts in Iowa. Cass County’s piece of the pie came to $1.9 million in state tax receipts and $210,000 in local tax receipts. Domestic travel directly supports the payroll of food service, entertainment and recreation and lodging sectors.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Saturday, investigated a complaint of Juveniles gathering at 1905 P Avenue in rural Page County using illegal substances. During the investigation six  male juveniles – ranging in age from 13 to 17 – were charged with drug offenses.

All were charged with Gatherings where controlled substances unlawfully used – Marijuana (serious misdemeanors), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor), and Possession of a controlled substance – Marijuana (serious misdemeanor). All were referred to Juvenile court and released to parents, guardians, or designated adults by parents consent.

The incident is still under investigation with charges possible on other individuals.