Iowa: Omnibus Pro-Gun Reform Legislation Introduced and Needs Your Help to Clear Committee Before Deadline

Today, House Study Bill 201 was introduced by the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Chip Baltimore (R-47).  HSB 201 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it is expected to receive a hearing in subcommittee tomorrow, March 3.  Your immediate help is needed to ensure this critical pro-gun reform bill moves forward and passes the subcommittee.  Please contact members of the subcommittee and members of the House Judiciary Committee today and urge them to hear and vote in support of this critical, comprehensive pro-gun reform bill!

This critical legislation seeks to make many changes to benefit law-abiding gun owners, shooters and sportsmen alike.  If enacted, HSB 201 would make the following key improvements and changes:

• Remove permit-to-purchase requirement for handgun purchases, which will in turn remove the de facto three-day waiting period for handguns, while creating an optional permit to acquire firearms that will now be good for five years instead of one.

• Legalize ownership and possession of firearm sound suppressors.

• Require that certification by a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO), when a signoff is required for the transfer of a firearm or other item regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA), be provided within 30 days as long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm or other item. 

• Ease the concealed weapons permitting renewal process by only requiring retraining every ten years (as opposed to five), allowing for an internet training course to qualify for retraining, providing for a 60 day window for application for renewal, and allowing any training done within 24 months of initial application or permit expiration date to qualify.

• Lengthen the window in which you can renew your permit from the current 30 days prior to expiration requirement, to allowing you to renew 30 days before or after the expiration date on the permit.  

• Create a training exception for veterans of the Armed Forces from ever having to go through initial training or retraining if they can produce their military qualifications at the time of application.

• Remove the arbitrary age prohibition on the use and possession of a handgun or handgun ammunition.  Under current law, if a parent wishes to teach their child to shoot a long gun, they can, but they are currently prohibited from teaching a child under fourteen how to use a pistol or revolver.  This change allows parents to make the decision of when a child is mature and strong enough to be taught firearm safety.

• Ensure confidentiality of personal information of all current and renewing applicants for a concealed weapons permit, making personal information of those permit holders private to everyone other than law enforcement agencies.  Information you submit to obtain your permit will no longer be subject to public information requests.

• Allow law enforcement to verify 24/7 by electronic means the validity of a concealed weapons permit through a statewide verification system. This new system may help Iowa gain reciprocity with other states. However, this system is not a gun registry or database of firearm owners, but simply contains information that verifies if a permit is valid or not.  It will not include information on specific firearms you own, or information on individuals who own firearms but do not have a permit.

• Create uniform permits throughout the state that only contain necessary information on the card.  This will apply to both a permit to carry and the now optional permit to acquire.  Permits will no longer list a person’s home address on the card.

• Strengthen penalties for “straw purchases,” the practice where someone who is prohibited from having a firearm obtains one by having another person purchase a firearm for them.  Federal law already prohibits straw purchases, however Iowa law is not as clear on this topic. 

Using the contact information provided below, please call and email members of the subcommittee and House Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote in support of HSB 201 when it comes before them.  You can reach members by phone at (515) 281-3221.

Subcommittee:

Representative Chip Baltimore (R-47)
Email:  [email protected]

Representative Mary Lynn Wolfe (D-98)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Matt W. Windschitl (R-17)
Email: [email protected]

House Judiciary Committee:

Representative Chip Baltimore (R-47), Chairman
Email:  [email protected]

Representative Stan Gustafson (R-25), Vice Chairman
Email:  [email protected]

Representative Mary Lynn Wolfe (D-98), Ranking Member
Email: [email protected]

Representative Marti Anderson (D-36)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Terry C. Baxter (R-8)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Deborah L. Berry (D-62)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Darrel Branhagen (R-55)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Dave Dawson (D-14)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Chris Hagenow (R-43)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Greg Heartsill (R-28)
Email: [email protected]

Representative David E. Heaton (R-84)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Megan Jones (R-2)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Bobby Kaufmann (R-73)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Brian Meyer (D-33)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Zach Nunn (R-30)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Jo Oldson (D-41)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Rick Olson (R-31)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Todd Prichard (D-52)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Ken Rizer (R-68)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Walt Rogers (R-60)
Email: [email protected]

Representative Matt W. Windschitl (R-17)
Email: [email protected]