Less than a month after Iowa State University student Natalie Gibson sued the City of Ames, Iowa, over its prohibition on lawfully owned firearms aboard public buses, city transit officials have reversed course. NSSF spotlighted the developments in a recent post.
A Nov. 5 memorandum from CyRide Transit Director Barbara Neal confirms that passengers may now lawfully carry firearms, openly or concealed, aboard the city’s buses. The change, approved by the CyRide Transit Board, took effect immediately.
The reversal delivers a significant practical victory for Gibson, whose lawsuit challenged the city’s authority to restrict lawful firearm carry under Iowa’s firearm preemption statute. The Iowa Firearms Coalition celebrated the development Nov. 6 as a victory for Second Amendment rights.
Lawful Carry Is No Longer Grounds to Deny Service
The policy change goes beyond simply removing firearms from CyRide’s list of prohibited items.
Under the updated instructions, employees cannot deny service, require passengers to leave or summon law enforcement merely because someone lawfully possesses a firearm.
“The lawful possession of these items alone is not a reason to deny service or take action against a passenger,” the memorandum states.
Employees are also instructed not to demand firearm permits, direct passengers on how firearms must be carried or stored or attempt to handle a passenger’s firearm.
CyRide’s existing passenger conduct and emergency response procedures remain in effect. Threatening or violent behavior can still warrant intervention but lawful firearm possession alone is not considered grounds for action.
That distinction matters. A passenger exercising a lawful right is not committing a violation simply by boarding public transportation.
Iowa’s Firearm Preemption Law Has Teeth
As NSSF previously reported, Gibson filed her lawsuit Oct. 13 in Story County District Court, arguing the city’s firearm prohibition violated Iowa Code Section 724.28.
The statute generally prohibits cities, counties and townships from regulating the possession, carrying and/or transportation of firearms when those activities are otherwise lawful under state law.
According to Gibson’s petition, the Iowa Firearms Coalition warned Ames in Oct. 2025 that its prohibition conflicted with Iowa law. The city reportedly defended its restriction because CyRide buses travel through Iowa State University property, where firearms are generally prohibited.
But a university’s campus policy does not automatically grant a municipality authority to impose a separate prohibition across its public transportation system.
Iowa’s preemption law also carries potential financial consequences. For knowing violations following written notice, the statute authorizes damages of $1,000 to $2,500 per day, capped at $25,000, along with provisions addressing attorney fees and court costs.
Those penalties require the applicable legal findings. CyRide’s policy reversal does not establish that Ames violated the statute or resolve Gibson’s outstanding legal claims.
Nevertheless, the practical result is unmistakable. A municipal restriction that prevented otherwise lawful firearm carry has been withdrawn following a legal challenge grounded in state law.
From Youth Shooting Advocate to Second Amendment Victory
Gibson’s latest advocacy builds on nearly a decade of involvement in protecting firearm rights.
In 2017, she and her older sister, Meredith, helped secure changes to Iowa law allowing children younger than 14 to handle handguns under direct adult supervision. Their efforts contributed to the passage of House File 517, signed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad.
Now as a college student, Gibson has helped bring about another tangible change affecting lawful firearm owners.
For students and other Ames residents who depend on CyRide, the reversal eliminates a choice between using public transportation and carrying a firearm for protection throughout their travels.
The lawsuit’s ultimate disposition, including any damages or attorney fees, remains unconfirmed. But the policy at the center of Gibson’s challenge has already changed. Iowa law protects the Second Amendment by limiting local firearm restrictions. Gibson challenged one. Ames reversed it. Lawful firearm owners no longer have to surrender their ability to carry simply to board a city bus.
Jenn Jacques is Public Affairs Manager at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.