Iowa: Important Pro-Gun Bill Officially Introduced in Des Moines

House Study Bill 133 has been offered in the Iowa House of Representatives and scheduled for a sub-committee hearing this Thursday, February 23.  HSB 133 is a large omnibus bill which aims to reform many Iowa gun laws.  Your NRA-ILA will be working tirelessly with the Iowa Firearms Coalition to see this bill progress through the legislative process and enhance the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Iowans!  Please begin contacting your state Representative in support of this important legislation!

HSB 133 covers a diverse range of important issues for gun owners.  Included in HSB 133 are the following pro-gun reforms:

• Stand Your Ground – Under HSB 133 a law-abiding citizen would have no duty to retreat from any place where the person is lawfully present before using force to defend themselves.
• 4^th Amendment protections in regards to “going armed with intent” – HSB 133 clarifies that the intent element for the crime of “going armed with a dangerous weapon with intent to use it without justification,” a Class D felony under state law, cannot be presumed or inferred from the mere carrying or concealment of a firearm on or about the person or in a vehicle.
• Enhancing Firearms Preemption – HSB 133 proposes an amended preemption law to restrict regulation of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition by political subdivisions of the state to ensure that firearm regulations and policy are uniform throughout Iowa.
• Capitol Carry – Prevents the Director of the Department of Administrative Services from prohibiting the otherwise lawful carrying, transportation, or possession of any handgun in or on any capitol buildings or grounds.
• Restricting State of Emergency Powers – Prevents the Governor, any state official, an official of any political subdivision acting at the direction of the Governor, and other officials from exercising powers during a proclaimed state of emergency to prohibit, regulate, or curtail the otherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, transfer or defensive use of firearms or ammunition, or to seize or confiscate legally possessed firearms and ammunition.
• Youth Shooting and Parental Rights – HSB 133 would give Iowa youth the ability to learn handgun safety only “under the direct supervision” of a parent or other specified responsible, authorized adult in a safe and responsible way.
• Permit Privacy – The bill restricts the use and disclosure of information acquired about holders of nonprofessional permits to carry weapons and permits to acquire firearms. The Commissioner of Public Safety and any issuing officer (County Sheriff) would be required to keep confidential all personally identifiable information about such individuals, except for expressly authorized disclosures.
• Numerous additional changes to the laws regarding concealed carry and the permitting process.

Please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates on this bill as it advances through the Iowa Legislature.