Weapons use bill advances

Recently, a bipartisan house committee advanced House Study Bill 201, an act relating to the manufacture, acquisition, sale and use of firearms and suppressors. The bill focuses on keeping Iowans safe while ensuring Second Amendment rights are preserved.

In 2010, Iowa law was changed to make it easier for law abiding citizens to receive a permit to carry a firearm.

While this change was helpful, several problems still exist in current law. HSB 201 attempts to address those issues. If the bill passes, Iowans will still have to renew their carry permit every five years, but will only be required to retrain every 10 years and more time will be given to renew the permit.

Currently, permits are not uniform across the state and it is difficult for officials to verify a permit. Under HSB 201 permits would have a uniform appearance and a statewide verification system would be established to help both law enforcement and permit holders.

Firearms suppressors are legal in a majority of states but are currently are not legal in Iowa. HSB 201 legalizes suppressors and creates a process for a chief law enforcement officer to approve the paperwork necessary for the purchase of a suppressor. Federal law governs the purchase and possession of suppressors, this change allows Iowans to have suppressors in accordance with federal law.

In Iowa, parents are prohibited from teaching a child, under 14, how to safely shoot a pistol or revolver. This bill eliminates that ban and allows parents the right to teach their children about firearms safety at any age.

HSB 201 would also ensure permit privacy for Iowans. When a person applies for a permit to carry a weapon or a permit to purchase, private information is collected by the county sheriff. Currently, that information is available to the public. This change protects permit holders and non-permit holders from being identified, except when necessary by law enforcement.

The goal of House Study Bill 201 is to ensure Iowans can continue exercising their Second amendment rights safely, with less red tape and less interference from the government.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the next legislative forums on Friday, March 27:

8 a.m. – Wayne County Farm Bureau (Corydon)

10 a.m. – Chariton Mosaic (Chariton)

Noon – Lakeside Casino (Osceola)

2 p.m. – Leon Community Center (Leon)