The Iowa Senate advanced two bills (SF 116 and SF 459) that would allow Iowa residents to carry guns at their workplace and at school on Thursday.

One subcommittee signed off on SF 459, which would allow Iowa residents who have a valid permit to carry a gun at their workplace so long as the gun is kept out of sight and inside the employee’s locked vehicle in the parking area.

Another subcommittee signed off on SF 116, which would allow parents who are driving their children to and from school to carry a gun so long as they remain in the parking area or designated driveway and have a valid permit to carry the gun.

These bills advanced despite objections from various groups. Employers and business groups objected to SF459, arguing that the bill would infringe on employers’ property rights, since the workplace, including the parking area, is private property, and the employer, as owner of the property, should be free to prohibit people from carrying guns on their private property.

Arguments against SF116 followed along the same lines, with opponents of the bill also arguing that allowing parents to carry guns in a school’s parking area would ultimately threaten the safety of the children.

On the other hand, proponents of the bills have praised the fact that the bills would allow Iowa residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights.