NRA-backed Suppressor Legislation Becomes Iowa Law

Fairfax, Va. – Law-abiding gun owners won a major victory in Iowa today as Governor Branstad signed a bill that would allow for the sale, use and possession of technology that will protect gun owners' hearing.  New York City billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s group, Moms Demand Action, lobbied against the legislation. 

“The good people of Iowa were not misled by the lies out-of-state gun control groups were spreading in Iowa,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “This law will make it easier for Iowa’s gun owners to protect their hearing with the proven technology of firearm suppressors.  Suppressors also reduce noise complaints at ranges. People in the shooting sports take safety seriously and want to be good neighbors.”

Despite misinformation spread by Bloomberg’s gun control groups, suppressors are a valuable safety-oriented technology in the shooting sports, as they:

• help increase accuracy by reducing felt recoil and shot “flinch;”
• help beginners to shooting sports learn more quickly because the muffled sound improves focus and concentration;
• help reduce shooters’ risk of hearing damage, and
• help reduce noise complaints at ranges.

Iowa now joins 41 other states that allow possession of suppressors, 38 of which allow for their use while hunting. The Iowa State Senate passed the hearing protection act 46-4. The House of Representatives passed it with a 4-24 vote.

"Time and again we’ve seen the Bloomberg-funded gun control groups try to push their extreme political agenda on America’s law-abiding gun owners,” concluded Cox. “But, they have neither the facts nor the American people on their side.”

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.