A new bill going through the Iowa Legislature would allow Emergency Medical Technicians to carry a firearm if they are a part of a police tactical team.
Senate File 2006, introduced by Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, would allow emergency medical professionals to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons if they train with a tactical team, complete a firearm safety training course and are not disqualified from carrying weapons.
Tactical teams are often called upon for high-risk situations like shootings or serving search warrants to armed individuals. Emergency medical professionals who accompany these teams are there to administer immediate medical care to victims.
Currently under Iowa law, workers like police officers, security guards and bank messengers are allowed to obtain a professional permit, which allows them to carry a firearm while working.