State Representative Jon Thorup says a bill which would permit an exception to the ban on having firearms on school campuses is intended to make things easier for a parent or guardian dropping off or picking up their child for the day.

Thorup tells KNIA/KRLS News the bill would permit gun owners to have firearms on campus if they are present simply for bringing their children to and from school, provided they are safely stored away.

“(It) creates an exception for an adult who’s maybe dropping off a student, and be…actually able to drive onto the school property to drop off a student can actually have a firearm stay in their vehicle,” Thorup says.

As an active member of the Iowa State Patrol, Thorup notes it’s not uncommon for gun owners to have their firearms in the trunk of their car or some other secure spot on board.

He says he can see a lot of circumstances where allowing this exception shouldn’t pose any sort of safety problem.