Orange City, Iowa — Orange City Republican state representative Skyler Wheeler was among those voting to take the first step toward giving Iowans the opportunity to add a gun rights amendment to the Iowa Constitution. The same proposal would have to clear the legislature in 2019 or 2020 before Iowa voters could decide whether to add the gun rights language to the state’s constitution.
If adopted, the amendment would require courts to strictly scrutinize any gun laws. Wheeler dismissed what he called, “lawyer talk”, criticizing that part of the proposal.
Representative Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, called the proposal “extreme.”
Representative Mary Wolfe, a Democrat from Clinton, said the proposal would open up a “Pandora’s box” of litigation.
Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says the proposal will put a halt to “government over-reach” when it comes to gun regulations.
After three hours of debate, the House passed the proposal on a 54 to 42 vote. All 54 “yes” votes came from Republicans. Two Republicans — Representatives Dave Heaton of Mount Vernon and Andy McKean of Anamosa — joined all the Democrats in the House in voting no.
