Fairfax, Va.— Five pro-Second Amendment bills backed by the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) are headed to the state Senate after passing the state House with a bi-partisan majority. NRA-ILA is mobilizing support among its Iowa members and supporters in an effort to pass these bills in the State Senate.
“These bills will go a long way toward protecting the Second Amendment rights of Iowa’s law-abiding gun owners,” said Catherine Mortensen, NRA-ILA media liaison. “Like Americans everywhere, the people of Iowa know the government cannot always protect them and they want the ability to defend themselves and their families. These bills with make it easier for law-abiding Iowans to exercise their constitutional right to self-protection. Our members and supporters are politically savvy and they vote. If lawmakers ignore their voices during the legislative process our members will speak at the ballot box in November.”
This package of pro-Second Amendment bills would:
- make it easier for sportsmen and hunters to protect their hearing;
- protect gun owners from government gun confiscations during a state of emergency;
- allow snowmobilers and ATVers to protect themselves while outdoors;
- allow young people to learn handgun safety with a parent or guardian;
- and protect the privacy of permit holders personal information.
House File 2279, the Hearing Protection Act, would allow for the sale, use and possession of firearm suppressors in Iowa. Suppressors help increase accuracy by reducing felt recoil and shot “flinch.” Beginners to shooting sports adhere to a quicker learning curve on average because the muffled sound equates to increased focus and concentration on proper shooting mechanics. Most importantly, suppressors reduce shooters’ risk of hearing damage, which can occur when discharging a firearm without the proper hearing protection. In addition, suppressors can help reduce noise complaints at ranges, particularly in more densely populated areas. House File 2279 passed the House of Representatives with a 74-24 vote.
House File 2280, the Freedom Protection Act, goes directly to the heart of our cause and defends our Second Amendment Rights. House File 2280 would prohibit any state official, including the governor, and government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation and defensive use of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency, like the actions that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. House File 2280 passed the House of Representatives with a 67-31 vote.
House File 2283, the Recreational Carry Bill, would allow for law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm while riding on an ATV or snowmobile. If an individual can lawfully own and possess a firearm, they should not have restrictions placed on their ability to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense outside of their home or in a recreational vehicle. House File 2283 passed the House of Representatives with a 78-20 vote.
House File 2281, the Youth Safety & Parental Rights Act, would correct a discrepancy in current law that prevents individuals under 14 years of age from learning gun safety and target shooting with a handgun under their parent’s permission and supervision. There is a great deal of interest in shooting sports among Iowa’s youth and this bill ensures that individuals under 14 years of age are taught the proper way to handle and discharge a firearm while under the discretion of a parent or guardian. House File 2281 passed the House of Representatives with a 62-36 vote.
House File 2314, Concealed Carry Permit Reform & Personal Information Protection, would provide clarification to Iowa’s current carry permit law and respect law-abiding gun owner’s right to privacy by keeping all personally identifiable information of applicants and holders of permits to carry weapons and permits to acquire pistols/revolvers, confidential. House File 2314 passed the House of Representatives with a 97-1 vote.
The NRA is asking its members and Second Amendment supporters in Iowa to contact their state senators and urge them to vote in favor of these pro-gun measures. The NRA is directing members to the following website to contact their senators in the Iowa State Legislature:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.
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