On August 18, the Dubuque City Council voted 5 to 2 in favor of a city zoning ordinance amendment that would prohibit firearm sales by home-based Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers in residential areas. A second hearing on this issue is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3 at the Historic Federal Building on 350 West Sixth Street in Dubuque. It is possible that a final vote will be taken at this time.
Iowa’s firearms preemption statute (Iowa Code 724. 28) states that a locality cannot enact an ordinance regulating the “legal transfer” of firearms that is “is otherwise lawful under the laws of [the] state.” Iowa state law does not prohibit home-based commercial firearm sales.
Like several other localities across Iowa, the Dubuque City Council has decided to attack the lawful sale of firearms despite the fact that there have been no known problems with existing home-based FFL dealers in the area. The proposal submitted demanding this change in zoning laws lacks empirical evidence, and is rife with disparaging remarks regarding gun owners. Law-abiding individuals should not be equated with criminals or regarded as dangerous people for merely exercising a constitutional right.
Please contact Mayor Roy D. Buol and members of the Dubuque City Council today, and respectfully urge them to OPPOSE this discriminatory ordinance that targets law-abiding gun owners and attacks firearm sales in residential areas by FFL dealers. Additionally, no time will be allotted for public comment on this matter at the September 3 meeting unless authorized by the Mayor, so please respectfully request that this item receives proper public input.
It is important to remain engaged in local issues that directly influence exercise of your rights and to support election of state and local candidates who support the Second Amendment. Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated on this and other Second Amendment related matters.
Dubuque City Council:
Mayor Roy D. Buol
[email protected]
563-564-5455
Councilman Ric W. Jones, At-Large
[email protected]
563-556-3490
Councilman David T. Resnick, At-Large
[email protected]
563-582-9217
Councilman Kevin J. Lynch, Ward 1
[email protected]
563-582-6382
Councilman Karla A. Braig, Ward 2
[email protected]
563-582-0595
Councilman Joyce E. Conners, Ward 3
[email protected]
563-582-3843
Councilman Lynn V. Sutton, Ward 4
[email protected]
563-585-0129
City council members may be reached through the city clerk’s office at 563-589-4120. Also, a message may be sent to all city council members by clicking here. Finally, click here to view a quick reference guide including city council photographs and contact information plus a ward map.
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