Bills that would infringe on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms have been filed and will be moving through the Iowa legislature. Your action is necessary!
House File 163, introduced by long-time anti-gun advocate state Representative Bruce Hunter (D-34), would ban the sale or transfer of “large-capacity feeding devices” effective immediately if the bill is passed and enacted into law. A large-capacity feeding device is defined as an ammunition-feeding device with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds.
Millions of Americans possess magazines like these that hold more than ten rounds – as they are the standard magazine in the most popular weapons used for self-defense, target shooting and hunting. This policy will only affect the law-abiding, and will have no impact on crime since it will be ignored by criminals - like other restrictions. For more information on so-called “assault weapons” and “high capacity” magazine bans, please click here.
House File 164, introduced by state Representative Bruce Hunter (D-34), would criminalize all private transfers of firearms. It would require background checks be conducted by an FFL on ALL private firearm transfers with no exceptions, and allows the dealer to collect fees in the process. HF 164 would also provide for limitless fees (taxes) for transfers in order to fuel this enormous bureaucratic process, and allow the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create “rules” as necessary on how to implement the system, which is just another form of universal registration.
This legislation is so restrictive that it would prevent grandparents from passing on heirloom firearms to grandchildren without running background checks through an FFL. It would even prevent you from loaning your hunting buddy - or even brother or sister - a firearm for a hunt unless they got a background check through an FFL and paid the associated fees. It would also allow – which is the ultimate goal – the Department of Public Safety to create a “universal registration” scheme. This is an unenforceable and unworkable policy that only impacts the law abiding, and is a waste of taxpayer money.
House File 165, introduced by state Representative Anesa Kajtazovic (D-61), is very broad legislation that would allow the Natural Resources Commission to ban or restrict the types of ammunition used while hunting. HF 165 is just another attempt to control and restrict your right to keep and bear arms.
Today, an Iowa House subcommittee passed legislation that would help protect law-abiding gun owners in the Hawkeye State. House File 81, introduced by state Representative Matt Windschitl (R-17), would keep the personal information of permit-to-acquire applicants and concealed weapon permit holders confidential and exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests. In other parts of the country, anti-gun media outlets abused their privileges under the Freedom of Information Act and have jeopardized the safety of law-abiding citizens by publishing the names and addresses of registered gun owners. Contrary to their claims, these media elites have not increased public safety. Rather they have simply provided a map for criminals to use on their next burglary. HF 81 would make sure that never happens in Iowa by exempting permit applications from Freedom of Information Act requests. Additionally, this bill contains an NRA-offered provision to penalize someone who knowingly and intentionally purchases a firearm for a prohibited person. This bill is now eligible for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.
Your NRA-ILA will keep you informed on the status of these and any other firearm–related bills in Iowa this session.
Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to SUPPORT HF 81 and other pro-freedom bills. It is important that you also urge your state legislators to OPPOSE any gun bans or bills that infringe on our constitutional rights. Tell them it is time to work on real solutions, not resurrect failed policies of the past and attack law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen! Contact information for your state legislators can be found here.