Statewide Iowa — The Republican-led Iowa Legislature has again endorsed a proposed gun rights amendment to Iowa’s constitution.
Legislators had discussed this same proposal before and had hoped to place the issue before voters in 2020, but the Secretary of State failed to meet a publishing deadline last fall, so the process has been restarted. 2022 is the earliest Iowa voters could decide whether to add the amendment to the state constitution. Senator Zach Whiting, a Republican from Spirit Lake, noted a number of gun rights activists were at the capitol Wednesday, lobbying for it.
Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, says the amendment’s “strong language” is necessary.
Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, was among those who suggested that if voters approve the amendment, it could lead to the repeal of current gun-related laws.
Senator Claire Celsi, a Democrat from Des Moines, was a “no” on the proposal.
Celsi also went on Twitter to announce she had asked that security officers be dispatched to the balcony overlooking the senate. Celsi said supporters of the amendment sitting in the gallery were giving her “dirty looks” and she was “fully aware that most of them are carrying guns.” The Senate approved the gun-rights proposal Wednesday afternoon on a 33-to-16 vote. The HOUSE took up the issue, too, and passed it Wednesday night by a narrower, 53-to-46 margin.
