Muscatine

As previously reported, House Study Bill 18 (now House File 320), “Emergency Powers Reform” and House File 7 (now House File 573), passed out of the House Public Safety Committee and survived the recent legislative “funnel.”  Now, HF 320 and HF 573 both need your help to come to the floor of the state House.  It is essential that you contact your state Representative immediately and urge him or her to convince the leadership in the state House to act on these important bills before the end of next week—the last legislative “funnel.” 

HF 320 would prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation and defensive use of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

In addition to this bill providing a necessary protection for gun owners across the Hawkeye State, it is our goal to add an amendment to HF 320 to strengthen Iowa’s firearm preemption law in an effort to stop the current trend of municipal violations across the state.  Since last year’s “Shall Issue” carry permit system went into effect on January 1, municipalities have taken it upon themselves to interpret current sections of Iowa’s firearm laws to suit their own agenda - an agenda that goes against firearm owners and our constitutional rights.  For more information about this ongoing issue in Iowa, please click here.

HF 573 would remove a person’s “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present.  It would create a presumption that an individual who unlawfully or forcefully enters your dwelling, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle is there to cause serious bodily injury or death, so the occupant may use force, including deadly force, against that person.  HF 573 also would expressly allow an individual to use force, including deadly force, to prevent a violent felony, and it would enhance the protections against criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits when justifiable force is used.

Please contact your state Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to support HF 320 with an NRA-backed preemption amendment and HF 573. Remember that action must take place by the end of next week if they hope to pass this session. To locate your state Representative and their contact information, please click here.