From the ground up

     “Making Iowa Better.”

     This statement has value. 

     It means I’m here at the State Capitol, representing District 48, to make our district better. It means that we are making Iowa better.

     We made Iowa better last week in a number of ways through new or renewed legislation. I’m addressing one important topic today as I received overwhelming support regarding HF 517 The Firearms Omnibus Bill. This bill has a lot of content and makes several changes to firearms laws, strengthens our Second Amendment rights, and can be summarized as follows (I know this is a bit wordy, but feel free to print it and take it to the coffee shop for discussion):

     Part 1 – Offensive Weapons: Strikes the state ban on short-barreled rifles and shotguns.

     Part 2 – Carrying Weapons and Possession of Weapons: Allows private investigators and security officers who are licensed and have a permit to carry on school property while engaged in performance of their duties.

     Makes it a serious misdemeanor to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

     Updates permit to carry language.

     Part 3 – Permit to Carry Weapons and Firearm Safety Training: Firearms safety training will be required when a new permit to carry is issued and permits will be uniform.

     Part 4 – Acquiring Pistols or Revolvers and Prohibited Transfer of Firearms: A permit to acquire weapons will be valid for five years and permits will be uniform.

     Part 5 – Possession of Pistols and Revolvers by Persons Under 14 years of Age: Strikes the minimum age for a person to possess a handgun while under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

     Part 6 – Records Kept by Commissioner- Confidentiality: Requires Department of Public Safety and the issuing officer to keep personally identifiable information of nonprofessional permit holders private.

     Part 7 – State Preemption: Current code bans a political subdivision of the state from enacting an ordinance that restricts firearm possession. This language remains in the code. The bill does allow persons who feel their civil rights compromised the ability to file lawsuits.

     Part 8 – Pistols or Revolvers-Capitol Buildings: Pistols and revolvers can be carried in the Capitol building and surrounding grounds and parking. The pistol or revolver must be concealed and the carrier must comply with all other state laws.

     Part 9 – Emergency Powers: The Governor and political subdivisions are prohibited from revoking firearms rights in a state of emergency.

     Part 10 – Justifiable Use of Reasonable and Deadly Force: A person may use reasonable force, including deadly force, if they have a reasonable belief the force is necessary to avoid injury or death to themselves or others. There is no duty to retreat. A person may be wrong in their estimation of force as long as there is a reasonable basis for the belief. Includes immunity from criminal and civil liability.

     Part 11 – Fraudulent Purchase of Firearms or Ammunition: This part makes it a class “D” felony to engage in an illegal purchase/sale of firearms.

     Part 12 – Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicles: Allows a person riding a snowmobile or ATV to carry a pistol or revolver without a retention holster.

     Part 13 – Target Shooting Private Premises: Protects property owners in unincorporated areas from noise complaints if they are lawfully shooting firearms on their property.