The Daniel Boone Regional Library has changed its signs indicating an outright prohibition of guns after the lawyer for state Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch, R-Hallsville, sent the library board a letter telling it to change or remove the signs because state law doesn't allow it to prohibit guns.

Reisch had a gun with her in her purse during a Feb. 2 legislative forum sponsored by the library and the League of Women Voters of Columbia-Boone County. She hadn't notified the library but told one audience member about the gun, and another audience member overheard her on her cellphone mentioning the gun.

The library staff on Friday changed the signs to reflect library policy to read that guns are prohibited in the library unless authorized by law. It's an administrative decision until the library board can get direction from its attorney, DBRL Director Melissa Carr said at Thursday's meeting of the library's Board of Trustees.

"We don't know if there are concealed weapons in our building" because they're concealed, Carr said. She said no one has ever brandished a gun inside the building.

"Staff would take action if someone brandished a weapon," Carr said, adding that staff would quickly call 911.

A state law that took effect Jan. 1 allows adults to carry concealed guns without a permit. The law includes a list of locations where concealed guns are prohibited, including schools, hospitals, courthouses and athletic stadiums, but libraries aren't on the list. The state law also allows businesses to prohibit firearms.

"It's clear the library is not in compliance with state law and is directly infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners," Reisch said in a news release. "It's time to see the library honor its own policy and our law by changing its signage to reflect the fact concealed carry is allowed on library grounds. My hope is that the board will take immediate action to respect the legal rights of gun owners."

The letter from attorney Jennifer Bukowsky says she would take no action if the signs were removed or changed by March 10. She wrote that changing the sign to reflect library policy is acceptable.

"We are prepared to take further action with regard to this matter, including but not limited to the filing of a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that valid concealed carry permit holders may carry concealed firearms onto the premises of the Columbia Public Library, an order compelling you to remove these signs and a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to prevent you from unlawfully prohibiting possession of concealed firearms by valid (concealed carry) permit holders," the letter reads.

Though the new law allows adults to carry concealed guns without a permit, Bukowsky said she referred to permit holders because her client is one.

Reisch said she felt uncomfortable at the crowded meeting Feb. 2, and an audience member had said Reisch told her she had a gun in her purse because she was fearful.

"She has a constitutional and a God-given right to protect herself should she be attacked," Bukowsky said.

On Friday, Bukowsky said she appreciated the quick action by the library administration.

When Bukowsy was asked why Reisch should feel threatened at a public political forum, she referred to the 2012 attempted assassination of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona. The shooting left the former congresswoman with a serious brain injury.

Some residents at the board meeting Thursday said they were troubled by the idea of guns being allowed at the library.

Helene Tatum said she has brought her daughter to the library since she was a young child and would like the library to adopt stronger language to prohibit guns.

"It's a sad thing when we're afraid to send our kids to the library," Tatum said.

Alexandra Townsend said she feared for the safety of patrons.

"I hope that you really push back and stand your ground," Townsend said to the board.

Samantha Brewer said she wants to be able to visit the library without worrying about guns.

"My family deserves to be safe and feel safe at the library," Brewer said.

Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Public Schools teacher and president of the teachers' union, asked the library board to retain its local control and refuse to let a "Jefferson City politician" dictate terms to it.

Library board member Bill Young said the board should discuss its options next month after hearing from its attorney. Library board member John French said after the meeting that he also wants the issue to be further discussed.

"It's a delicate subject," he said. "We want to make sure to give it thought, consideration and good judgment."

When asked whether the board has any options to prohibit guns from the premises, board member Brouck Jacobs, who also is the Boone County assistant prosecuting attorney, said he's aware of what the law says but hasn't seen any case law on the matter, adding he would wait to hear the attorney's recommendation.