IA: Gun Reform Bill Moves Forward

An Iowa gun reform bill is moving forward.  It has passed the House 75 to 24 and appears likely to be approved by the Senate.  A bill with much the same provisions has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.  From thegaxette.com:

The House voted 75-24 to send House File 527 to the Senate, where a similar bill has been approved by the Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said the bill “does many things to advance Second Amendment rights” such as allowing Iowans to get noise suppressors that are regulated by the federal government. It also makes gun carry permits — now public records — secret and allows parents to teach their young children firearm safety and how to handle handguns.

There are a few more interesting parts of the bill:

• The bill creates a new “permit to acquire firearms” that replaces the old “permit to acquire a pistol or revolver”.  The new permit is good for five years while the old permit was good for one year.  The new permit allows people who do not want a concealed carry permit to obtain a “permit to acquire” that allows them to bypass federal background checks when purchasing firearms from a federal firearms licensee.
• The bill recognizes permits issued by other states.
• The bill requires law enforcement officers to verify permits through electronic means where possible, and creates a misdemeanor violation of a permit holder does not have the permit within his immediate possession.
• Allows for the current training course to be conducted online.
• Simplifies the renewal process.
• Institutes “loser pays” for appeals if permits are denied.
• Removes 14 year old lower limit for handgun training if under adult supervision.
• Employers that require concealed carry permits for purposes of employment may be told if employees or applicants have permits.

A year ago, a bill to allow for the possession of gun mufflers, under the highly restrictive federal rules, was killed by State Senator Robert Hogg (D-33).

 …on the heels of powerful grassroots support, the Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 2381, legislation to legalize suppressor ownership and use with overwhelming bipartisan support.  Despite this action, HF 2381 is in jeopardy of not receiving a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Senator Robert Hogg (D-33), as reported earlier this week.

Senator Hogg prevailed in 2013 as well.  Senator Hogg still serves District 33 in Iowa, and Democrats have a slim majority of Senators, 26, to Republicans, 24.

Republicans have a majority in the House, 57 Republicans to 43 Democrats. 

This bill has a reasonable chance of passage.  It is popular and has already cleared the Senate Judiciary committee, where it was previously killed.

Governor Branstad, a Republican, may well sign the bill.    He lifted a ban on the use of lead ammunition for dove hunting a year ago, saying that such a ban was outside the authority of the National Resources Commission.

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