HOUSE FILE 122

BY  HAGENOW

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the authority to possess offensive weapons and the carrying of weapons by a licensed private investigator and a licensed private security officer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 724.2, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4A.  A private investigator or a private security officer who possesses a valid license pursuant to chapter 80A.
   Sec. 2.  Section 724.4, subsection 4, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  l.  A private investigator or a private security officer who possesses a valid license pursuant to chapter 80A, while engaged in the performance of official duties.
   Sec. 3.  Section 724.4B, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  A person listed under section 724.4, subsection 4, paragraphs“b” through “f”,or“j”, or “l”.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to the authority to possess offensive weapons and the carrying of weapons by a licensed private investigator and a licensed private security officer.
   The bill allows a private investigator or a private security officer who possesses a valid license pursuant to Code chapter 80A to possess offensive weapons, when the person’s duties or lawful activities require or permit such possession. An offensive weapon is defined in Code section 724.1 to include a machine gun, a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun, certain other weapons which fire or can be made to fire a projectile by the explosion of a propellant charge, a bomb, grenade, or mine, any rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, certain rockets, missiles, and other similar devices, a ballistic knife, any part or combination of parts to be used to convert any device into an offensive weapon, certain bullets, projectiles, shotshells, or cartridges, any mechanical device specifically constructed and designed so that when attached to a firearm silences, muffles, or suppresses the sound when fired, an antique firearm or collector’s firearm, any device which is not designed or redesigned for use as a weapon including signaling, pyrotechnic, line-throwing, or safety devices, and unserviceable firearms.
   The bill authorizes a private investigator or a private security officer who possesses a valid license pursuant to Code chapter 80A, while engaged in the performance of official duties, to carry a dangerous weapon. Under Code section 702.7, dangerous weapons include but are not limited to any offensive weapon, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, dagger, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, knife having a blade exceeding five inches in length, or any portable device or weapon directing an electric current, impulse, wave, or beam that produces a high-voltage pulse designed to immobilize a person.
   The bill authorizes a private investigator or a private security officer who possesses a valid license pursuant to Code chapter 80A, while engaged in the performance of official duties, to carry a firearm on school grounds pursuant to Code section 724.4B.