Major Gun Bill Introduced in the Iowa House

Iowa –-(Ammoland.com)- The Iowa House of Representatives has just introduced a major pro-gun owner bill. House Study Bill 133 (HSB133) is a comprehensive gun bill that effectively re-writes a large portion of Iowa’s firearms and use of force laws. HSB133 is a major bill (more than 41 pages long) that benefits Iowa gun owners in numerous ways. We’ve listed a general overview below.

This bill revises nearly every portion of Iowa’s weapons law, as well as other sections of the Code dealing with criminal penalties, the justifiable use of force and even regulation of vehicles. Such an extensive effort involves legitimately complex legal considerations. This Study Bill allows time for some final fine-tuning while still meeting legislative deadlines.

HSB133 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and a subcommittee consisting of Representatives Matt Windschitl, Greg Heartsill and Mary Wolfe. We expect them to hold a subcommittee meeting this week, most likely Wednesday or Thursday. As always we’ll be updating you on any upcoming action.

What’s in HSB133?

• Legalizes SBRs and SBSs
  These items would be treated like suppressors currently are (must meet federal NFA requirements)
• Fixes current “Armed with Intent” language
  Just because you’re armed doesn’t mean you have any intentions of harming anyone. Under current law if you charged with a crime while carrying prosecutors can add an additional “Going Armed with Intent” charge even if your alleged crime has nothing to do with the you being armed.
• Lifetime Permits
  Uniform permits statewide (eliminating county by county permit variations)
• Removes the current Permit to Acquire requirement
  Brings Iowa in line with federal gun purchasing laws.No permit required, you just need to pass a NICS check
• Repeals the current ban on supervised youth handgun shooting
  Kids can shoot and learn proper gun safety under the supervision of a parent, or instructor
• Permit Privacy
  Prohibits the public release of any personal information of anyone who holds a Permit to Carry
• Preemption Cleanup (724.28 re-write)
  Prohibits any political subdivision (city, county, municipality, regents institution, etc) from creating gun free zones that violate state preemption law. Establishes “loser pays” so that if someone sues over the creation of a gun free zone the loser of that lawsuit must pay the winner’s court costs
• Establishes Emergency Powers restrictions
  Prohibits the confiscation firearms during a declared state of emergency (i.e. Hurricane Katrina gun confiscations)
• Legalizes Stand Your Ground
  Removes the “duty to retreat” from law-abiding citizens who find themselves in a self-defense situation. Establishes that as long as you have a reasonable basis for the belief that you are in danger you may defend yourself or those around
• Increases penalties for Straw Purchasers
  Anyone caught straw purchasing would be charged with a Class D felony
• ATV Carry cleanup
  Removes the requirement of a so-called “retention holster” while operating an ATV or snowmobile

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