House OKs several bills that would expand gun rights in Iowa
February 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-majority House has passed several bills that would expand gun rights in Iowa, including legislation that would allow children under 14 to use handguns with parental supervision. The House voted Tuesday in support of five gun bills that now head to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it’s unclear if they will get enough support to advance.
The legislation includes a measure that would restrict public access to information about gun owners and another bill that would allow people to use their guns in a state of emergency. Another bill would legalize the use of suppressors.
Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says the bills protect Second Amendment rights. Rev. Cheryl Thomas, with Iowans for Gun Safety, says some of the legislation is designed to weaken Iowa’s gun laws.