Statewide Iowa (Radio Iowa) — Two separate proposals to expand gun owners’ rights in Iowa advanced through initial review in the Iowa Senate on Thursday.
One calls for adding an amendment to the state’s constitution that calls on courts to “strictly scrutinize” any future gun regulations. The other calls for doing away with the requirement that Iowans get a government permit to carry a concealed weapon. Supporters call it “constitutional carry.” Richard Rogers is with the Iowa Firearms Coalition.
Supporters of the move say if the government has the power to issue gun permits, it might some day use that power to take those guns away. Reverend Wendy Abrahamson, the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Grinnell, says Second Amendment rights are assured by the constitution.
And Abrahamson described the gun permit process as a “minimal” step.
Last year, the Republican-led legislature passed a sweeping gun rights package. This year’s gun-related proposals have the backing of key lawmakers who worked on last year’s bill.
