Isanti City Council tables change to weapons policy, asks city attorney to reword carry language

The Isanti City Council voted to postpone action on revisions to the city's personnel policy on weapons and directed the city attorney to draft clearer wording that would address whether people holding valid permits may carry concealed firearms in city facilities.

Council member Peterson moved to remove the section on possession or use of a dangerous weapon from the personnel policy, saying the provision should be revoked. "So I make a motion to revoke the portion of possession or use of a dangerous weapon from the personnel policy," Peterson said. That motion failed on a 3-2 vote after members debated carve-outs for police officers and legal limits on the council's authority to change statutory requirements.

After the failed revocation motion, Council member Lundin proposed tabling the item until the city attorney could craft precise language. "I motion that we postpone this or table... until we can have the attorney look it over to make sure it's worded correctly," Lundin said. The council approved that motion 4-1 and directed staff to submit suggested edits to the attorney and return a revised personnel-policy draft at the next meeting.

Several council members and staff discussed whether local policy should repeat state requirements. "State statute already requires a permit to carry in public, so putting that in policy is kind of unnecessary," Peterson said during the discussion. Other members pressed to clarify whether the policy should distinguish concealed from open carry and noted public perception concerns if firearms were visible inside city facilities.

Council member Jeff, who spoke during the debate, summed up a common argument in favor of permit holders being allowed inside city buildings: "If you have a permit to carry, you should be allowed to carry it in here." Opponents said the policy must be worded to avoid unintended exposure or confusion about what the city allows.

City staff told the council the personnel policy is typically reviewed annually and recommended involving the attorney to ensure compliance with state law. The council's direction is to give the attorney suggested wording that would permit those with a valid concealed-carry permit to have a firearm in city facilities, subject to legally required concealment and any other statutory limits.

The council then approved a consent agenda, including a note that Iceni Together raised $16,200 to cover the city's explicit costs for a public event this year. The meeting adjourned and the council planned a brief recess before beginning EDA business.

What happens next: Council staff will send the suggested wording and direction to the city attorney and expect a revised personnel policy draft at the next council meeting for further action.