IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA
IN THE MATTER OF: ORDER
PROHIBITED ITEMS IN COURTHOUSE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
NO. 25-AO-8-P
The following rules govern prohibited items in any courthouse or upon any courthouse grounds of the Southern
District of Iowa, including the U.S. Courthouses in Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Davenport occupied by the
court or used for court activities. All persons entering such courthouse or upon such courthouse grounds are
subject to reasonable inspection for weapons and prohibited items.
The term “courthouse grounds” includes the following:
1. All property owned, leased or used by the federal government appurtenant to any facility utilized for
federal court proceedings within the Southern District of Iowa.
2. Property used from time to time by the federal court for the purposes of conducting federal court
proceedings on the days that such court proceedings take place.
All other grounds, including, but not limited to walkways, steps, courtyards, plazas, landscaped areas maintained
by the courthouse, and parking lots of these courthouses. Persons are prohibited from possessing the following
items:
Electronic Devices that Capture, Record, Broadcast, Transmit or Store Data
Electronic devices that capture, record, broadcast, transmit, or store anything by use of electronic, photographic,
audio, or visual means are prohibited. These items include cellphones, computers, electronic readers, cameras,
audio/video recorders, wireless communication devices, smart glasses and smart watches, and any functionally
similar devices. Persons in possession of these items will be given instructions by the Court Security Officers
(CSOs) to remove the item from the courthouse property.
Drugs, Lighters, Vapes, E-Cigarettes, Vape-Like Products and Smoking Devices
All illegal drugs, lighters, vapes, e-cigarettes, or any other similar item are prohibited in the courthouse and on
courthouse grounds. Persons in possession of these items will be given instructions by CSOs to remove the item
from the courthouse property.
Firearms, Dangerous Weapons, Explosives, Knives, and Similar Items Firearms, dangerous weapons,
explosives, destructive devices, combustible chemical compounds and mixtures, disabling chemicals such as
pepper spray and mace, all knives (regardless of the length of the blade), glass bottles, weapon replicas, including
individual parts or components of such items that could be readily converted into a weapon, any item that is, or
could be, intended to cause injury, death or property damage, and any other dangerous weapons will be handled
as deemed appropriate in the law enforcement judgment of the CSOs, U.S. Marshals, and Federal Protective
Service.
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 930(g)(2), the term “dangerous weapon” means a weapon, device, instrument, material,
or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury.
See attachment for a list of prohibited items in the federal courthouse.
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EXEMPTIONS
Electronic Devices
a. When authorized by a judicial officer, electronic devices may be allowed in the courthouse and may be
used in the courthouse and its environs for ceremonial proceedings, educational seminars, and any other
court proceeding deemed appropriate based on the judicial officer’s authorization and after consideration
of any attendant security concerns raised by U.S. Marshals.
b. A permanent exception for frequent or long-term visitors to a courthouse can be granted when requested
by a tenant agency head and approved by the Chief United States District Court Judge and by U.S.
Marshals.
c. Southern District of Iowa Federal Government Employees who work in the courthouse or enter the
courthouse in the course of their assigned duties, including employees of the United States Attorney’s
Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office, provided they possess a valid agency photograph
identification.
d. Attorneys and their staff members, Law Enforcement Officers, and seated jurors are allowed to bring cell
phones, computers, and other communication devices into the courthouse, if needed for court business.
However, any electronic devices in courtrooms must be disabled from making audible sound. No
recording or photograph of any type may be made within the courthouse unless expressly authorized in
advance of such recording or photograph by the Chief Judge.
e. Visitors using a lock pouch for their cell phone and/or smart watch while they are inside the courthouse.
These visitors will only be able to use their devices.
Repair Persons and Contractors
a. Repair persons and Contractors and their employees pre-approved by the General Services Administration
(GSA) or the U.S. Marshals may enter a courthouse with such tools, and cellular telephones, as reasonably
necessary to perform their work. Tools will be inspected prior to entry and a representative of the tenant
agency requesting the services will provide an escort into the work area.
Possession and Carrying of Firearms is Authorized for the Following Individuals
a. The U.S. Marshal, Deputy U.S. Marshals, and law enforcement officers working under their direction.
b. Court Security Officers acting under the authority of the by U.S. Marshals.
c. Federal Protective Services (FPS) Officers and FPS Contract Guards.
d. U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officers for the Southern District of Iowa.
e. Law enforcement officers responding to an emergency in the building.
f. Federal Judges with approval from the Chief Judge.
In addition to any other federal or state statutes, failure to comply with this order is punishable by criminal
contempt under 18 U.S.C. § 401, by fine or imprisonment or both.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 24th day of November, 2025.
________________________________________
STEPHANIE M. ROSE, Chief Judge
United States District Court
FILED
Southern District of Iowa
By: Clerk’s Office, Southern District of Iowa
10:01 am, Dec 01 2025
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ATTACHMENT
PROHIBITED ITEMS LIST
Prohibited Firearms, Projectile Weapons, Bladed, Edged, or Sharp Tools
or Implements Includes, but is not Limited to:
Firearms 3D or Ghost Guns, etc. BB or Pellet Guns Compressed Air Guns
Flare Guns Realistic or Replica Firearms Spear Guns Starter Pistols
Stun Guns, Cattle Prods Dart-firing Stun Guns Electric Weapons Ammunition
Firearm Cartridges Black Powder or Similar Slingshots Axes and Hatchets
Substances
Bows and Arrows Ice Axes/Ice Picks Throwing Stars Knives, Regardless of Blade
Length
Swords, Daggers, and Razor-Type Blades Billy Clubs, Blackjacks Brass Knuckles
Similar Items
Night Sticks Martial Arts Weapons Glass Bottles Chains Exceeding 12 inches
Prohibited Destructive Devices, Explosives, Combustible Chemical Compounds and Mixtures, Disabling
Chemicals or Other Dangerous items, Includes, but is not Limited to:
Blasting Caps/Detonators Dynamite, Fireworks Gunpowder, Rockets Grenades, Mines, Bombs
Realistic Replicas or Explosive or Expanding Gas Torches Flammable Liquids
Explosive Devices Gases
Mace, Pepper Spray Tear Gas, Other Chemical Spillable Batteries Vapes, e-Cigarettes
Sprays
Spray Paint Poisonous Gases Matches Lighters
Prohibited Electronic Devices Includes, but is not Limited to:
Cameras, Computers Wireless Communication Smart Glasses Smart Watches
Devices
Cellphones Recording Devices Audio/Visual Recorders Electronic Readers
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