Gov. Kim Reynolds: Iowa has 'reasonable and responsible' gun laws

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she's an advocate of Second Amendment rights, but she is open to a discussion about guns as part of a broader initiative to address mass violence in the wake of the killing of 17 people at a Florida high school.

Reynolds held a news conference Monday with state, federal and local public safety officials who urged Iowans to report suspicious activity, including the possibility of mass shootings by a lone gunman and a wide range of terrorism and other violence.

Reynolds, a Republican, said she doesn't believe there is any single solution to prevent mass shootings such as last week's attack by a former student  in Parkland, Fla. She said a "holistic" approach is needed that addresses a range of factors, such as better mental health services, work by law enforcement officials and educators, the breakdown of families, as well as violence on television and in video games.

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When asked the role of guns in such incidents, Reynolds said Iowa has "reasonable and responsible gun laws on the books," adding she strongly believes a state system that includes gun permits should remain in place. 

When pressed whether Iowa should place additional restrictions on guns, Reynolds said she didn't want to speculate.

 "I am a proud Second Amendment supporter as part of our Constitution," Reynolds said.

But she also suggested the federal government has a role in addressing mass shootings.

"They need to look at what they can do; strengthening background checks," Reynolds said. "A big piece of this discussion lays with them, and so they need to take the responsibility to do some things. As a state, we will need to continue to take a look and review. But we need to take a look at everything. We can’t take a look at one thing in isolation. We have to look at everything, because it includes everything."

The governor was also asked about whether she would support gun-related legislation  that would allow people with gun permits to have a weapon when they are picking up or dropping off children at school and whether she would support arming school teachers and staff. 

"I am willing to have a conversation about all of those," she replied.

The public awareness campaign announced Monday involves a partnership with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Department of Public Safety, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition, the effort includes the private sector, through the Safeguard Iowa Partnership, and local law enforcement through the Iowa State Sheriffs & Deputies Association, along with the Iowa Police Chiefs Association.

The campaign calls for reporting suspicious behavior to local law enforcement by calling a law enforcement agency or dialing the 911 emergency dispatcher. Reports should describe who or what was seen, when it was seen, where it occurred and why it is suspicious.