Des Moines, Iowa — Late last week we told you that both the Iowa Senate and House had approved the omnibus firearms bill that has garnered so much attention around the state this legislative session. Now Governor Terry Branstad will soon be seeing the bill cross his desk.
Branstad says he’s heard from “many” Iowans about the gun bill that got final legislative approval last week, including county attorneys concerned about “Stand your ground” provisions giving Iowans who use their guns to defend life or property new legal protections from lawsuits and criminal charges. But Branstad met with legislators who crafted the bill and the governor says concerns that HE raised were addressed.
In December of 2015 Branstad said he was satisfied with Iowa’s gun laws and was not an advocate for changes. Monday, Branstad says “issues and questions have come up.” The governor cited the five-year-long effort of a central Iowa family who want Iowa law changed so their daughters can target shoot with pistols. The bill would let children under the age of 14 handle pistols and revolvers, under a sober parent’s supervision.
Another section of the bill will allow the nearly quarter of a million Iowans with a concealed weapons permits to carry their guns into the state capitol.
And Branstad says he has “every confidence” the armed state troopers who patrol the capitol and surrounding buildings will be able to handle any situation. The governor, who has a security detail assigned to him wherever he goes, also praises the unarmed guards stationed at security checkpoints on the two public entrances to the statehouse. Branstad says he feels “safe and secure” in the state capitol.
Branstad did not address concerns raised about letting concealed guns into city halls and courthouses around the state. The Iowa Judicial Branch, the Iowa County Attorneys Association and the Iowa Judges Association are all opposed to the bill. The legislation gives Iowans the right to file lawsuits challenging “gun free” zones in government buildings.
It’s unclear when an “official” copy of the bill will be sent to Branstad for his review. After getting the official version of the bill, Branstad will have three days to sign or veto it.
