A proposed amendment to the Iowa constitution on gun rights has cleared one hurdle in the Iowa House, but it’s the first of many required steps before the constitution could be changed. The proposed amendment states that Iowans have a “fundamental right…to acquire, keep, possess, transport, carry, transfer and use” firearms for “legitimate purposes.” It also indicates courts should strictly scrutinize any attempt to regulate guns. Republican Representative Matt Windschitl, of Missouri Valley is one of the amendment’s key backers. “The proposal before us is to put Second Amendment protections into our state constitution if the voters so choose once this gets on the ballot,” Windschitl says.

Amending the state constitution isn’t done quickly. The Iowa House and Senate would have to approve this specific language this year — and then again sometime in the next two years before it would be submitted to voters in the 2020 election. Richard Rogers of the Iowa Firearms Coalition says Iowa is one of only six states that does not have gun rights spelled out in its constitution. “This simple amendment will ensure that these basic rights are protected for future generations and will not be affected by shifting and transitory political winds,” Rogers says.

Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, says people have a right to defend themselves, but the church opposes this amendment. “The bishops have been very strong advocates for regulation of firearms in the past and we’re concerned that this amendment, if it becomes part of our constitution, would make it very difficult to have any future regulation,” Chapman says.

Chapman says it could also lead courts to overturn current regulations. Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa agrees. “We simply believe that it opens up a whole new can of worms of what we’re talking about in the state of Iowa,” Ryan says.

Supporters of the amendment dispute the idea it could un-due current regulations. They point to a case in Missouri, where a similar amendment was just passed, and where a felon lost his lawsuit to regain his gun rights.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state ethics board says a Republican activist violated the law by failing to disclose income she earned by working as an agent of Saudi Arabia while serving as a governor-appointed state board member. The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board concluded Thursday that Connie Schmett made omissions on personal finance disclosure statements. She must pay a $250 fine and get a reprimand. Schmetts’ consulting firm collected $103,500 for a Saudi Arabia-funded public relations campaign.

DUNLAP, Iowa (AP) — Officials pulled a man’s body from a western Iowa sand pit hours after the dump truck he was driving fell into water in the pit. Omaha, Nebraska, television station KETV reports that authorities and rescue workers were called Thursday morning to Hallett Materials in Harrison County just south of Dunlap for reports of a missing truck and driver. Sometime later, crews discovered the truck submerged in the sand pit under ice and water. The driver was trapped inside the truck, where he died.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Wind turbine blade maker Siemens has announced it will lay off 202 workers at its Fort Madison plant in the southeastern corner of Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that Siemens notified affected workers on Wednesday and plans to eliminate their positions by March 24. A statement from the company says business volume at the plant through the 2018 fiscal year “does not support the existing workforce level.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man already in custody on a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of another Des Moines man last year. Police say Alonzo Marlon Gibbs was arrested Thursday, following the end of his trial on federal firearms charges. Police say Gibbs shot 24-year-old Trey Leon Lee and 24-year-old Patrick Young, both of Des Moines, at a Des Moines residence near Evelyn Davis Park on March 17. Both were taken to hospitals, where Lee died.

An incident at the Council Bluffs Wal-Mart Store at around 3:30-p.m., Thursday, concluded with one person being injured and another attempting to flee. Authorities say officers were called to the store at 1800 N. 16th Street for a rolling disturbance involving a white Dodge Caravan.

Prior to arriving, officers were informed the van left the area southbound and hit a house in the 1400 block of Avenue B. The driver was transported to Mercy Hospital by squad for minor injuries. The passenger attempted to flee the scene but was located.

Black Hills Energy was called due to a gas leak caused by the crash. The house (at 1414 Ave. B) sustained significant damage also due to the crash. Although the accident remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Department Traffic Unit, alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Authorities in Harrison County were working Thursday afternoon, on recovering the body of a man from a pickup submerged in a water-filled sand pit. Rescue crews discovered the body but have not officially identified the victim.

The incident occurred at the Hallett Materials pit near Dunlap. The vehicle was discovered at around 5-a.m. , after crews searching for a man missing since late Wednesday night found the pickup belonging to Caterpillar.

No other details were released.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County are investigating a burglary that was reported at around 2-p.m. Wednesday, at a residence located about eight-miles east of Shenandoah along Highway 2. The resident reported that sometime between 10-a.m. and 2-p.m., someone broke into her residence while she was gone.  Numerous items were taken during the burglary.

A Crimestopper’s reward is being offered for information leading to the indictment of persons responsible for the burglary and theft.  The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193 or their local Law Enforcement agency.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting three people were arrested Wednesday. 34-year old Ashley Dawn Helm, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant out of Crawford County for a Controlled Substance Violation. Her bond was set at $25,000.

24-year old Calvin Michael Sharp, of Auburn, NE., was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, 39-year old Amy Dawn Clemmons, of Emerson, was arrested Wednesday for Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300.

Federal records show a circus that owns four elephants that were briefly stranded on an Oklahoma roadway had a pachyderm escape its enclosure and roam free through a Wisconsin residential neighborhood last summer.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report shows a Carson & Barnes Circus elephant got free from restraints in June at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The female elephant was loose for a few hours before her trainer led her back to her barn.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized Hugo, Oklahoma-based Carson & Barnes after the floor began falling out of a trailer hauling the four elephants Wednesday, leaving them stalled for about two hours awaiting another ride. A statement from PETA urges people to avoid the circus’ shows.

Carson & Barnes spokeswoman Jennifer Wisener said Thursday a veterinarian examined the four elephants and that they appeared to be fine.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, II (R)-Greenfield

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II (R-Greenfield) announced today (Thursday), his candidacy for the Iowa House. The 38-year old Sorensen is running for Iowa District 20, which is currently represented by Clel Baudler and who recently announced his retirement. The district includes the counties of Adair, Guthrie, and portions of Dallas and Cass.  Sorensen said in a press release, “My priorities are to work for the district by providing good constituent services and giving a voice to constituents in our legislative process. As a small business owner and lifelong resident of the district, I can be a voice for rural Iowa with a common-sense approach.”

Bubba is a life-long resident of Adair County where in Greenfield he operates his business, Sorensen Studios, with his wife Maria. They are the parents of two children. A graduate of Bridgewater-Fontanelle (now Nodaway Valley), he was active in sports and showing cattle in 4H. Engaged in local, state, and national politics, Sorensen served as an intern for former Iowa State Senator JoAnn Johnson and clerked for former Representative Steve Olson.

Sorensen is well known for painting the Freedom Rock® just south of Interstate 80 near Menlo, Iowa. Painting the original Freedom Rock® each year as a volunteer effort, he is now commissioned to paint the smaller Freedom Rocks® in every county in Iowa. He currently has sixty-nine of the county Freedom Rocks® completed.  In announcing his candidacy, Sorensen said “I want to thank Representative Baudler for his many years of service to the state of Iowa. Running for State House is an honor and extension of how I can serve my community. With the support of my family and friends, I will be a strong voice for House District 20.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senate Republicans have proposed $50 million in mid-year cuts to Iowa’s roughly $7.2 billion state budget, including a reduction of more than $24 million in higher education spending. A Senate budget committee is expected Thursday to vote on the cuts, which impact the budget year running through June. The full Senate must still consider them before several votes in the House.

Leaders in the Republican-controlled chambers had indicated they would cut beyond the nearly $30 million spending reductions proposed by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds. They say it’s to avoid extra cuts if future budget projections are down. There’s disagreement between Republicans over the reductions, though lawmakers declined to offer specifics.

The Senate plan released Thursday cuts about $19.3 million from Iowa’s three public universities and $5.4 million from community colleges.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Doctors say a Burlington man accused of using an electric guitar to kill his mother remains incompetent for trial. Thirty-year-old Garret Selters is charged with first-degree murder in the October slaying of 56-year-old Linda Selters. In November doctors concluded he was incompetent for trial. At a follow-up hearing Tuesday, a judge read through reports that said Selters still was unable to assist in his defense but remained “a candidate for restoration.”

The Hawk Eye reports that the judge set another review hearing for Feb. 19. Police say Garret Selters struck his mother in the back of her head Oct. 17. She’d called for help that day, saying her son was having an “episode.” Officers found Garret Selters outside, pacing and stating that he’d killed his mother.