An Iowa State University student has filed a lawsuit against the City of Ames, challenging a policy that prohibits firearms on the city’s CyRide public transportation system.
Natalie Gibson, an ISU junior studying animal science, filed a petition October 13 in the Iowa District Court for Story County. She is asking the court to declare the city’s firearms policy unenforceable under Iowa law and is seeking damages.
According to the petition, Gibson holds an Iowa nonprofessional permit to carry firearms and uses CyRide for some of her transportation needs. The filing states that she has not carried a firearm onto a bus but argues the policy prevents her from doing so while lawfully armed.
The lawsuit cites Iowa Code Section 724.28, which restricts local governments from adopting policies regulating firearms in areas where state law preempts such local regulations.
The petition also references an October 2025 email exchange in which an Ames city official reportedly explained that firearms are prohibited on CyRide buses because they travel on Iowa State University property, where university policy generally prohibits weapons unless authorized.
Iowa State University’s firearms policy prohibits the possession or use of weapons on campus and during university-related activities, except when authorized through an application process.
Gibson’s petition argues that the university’s policy does not justify prohibiting the lawful carrying of firearms on public transit buses traveling through campus.
The City of Ames has acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment on the pending litigation.
“ The City of Ames does not comment on pending litigation. We will respond to the lawsuit through our filings with the Court system,” the city stated in an email provided by Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda.
Gibson is asking the court to declare the policy in violation of state law and issue an injunction preventing the city and its employees from continuing to enforce it. She is also seeking attorney’s fees, court costs and damages under the amounts outlined in the petition.
The lawsuit requests damages of between $1,000 and $2,500 per day, up to $25,000. Alternatively, it seeks damages of between $100 and $500 per day, capped at $5,000.
The case concerns the relationship between Iowa’s restrictions on local firearm regulations, Iowa State University’s weapons policy and the City of Ames’ rules for its public transportation system.
The allegations in the petition have not been established in court. The city’s response will be made through the legal process.
