The Iowa chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots volunteer network, today attended a hearing the Iowa Secretary of State held about the current proposed summary of Ballot Measure 1, which will appear on the ballot this November. Ballot Measure 1 would change Iowa’s state constitution and force courts to use “strict scrutiny,” a type of judicial analysis that could threaten Iowa’s gun safety laws – including laws that prohibit felons and domestic abusers from possessing firearms. The Secretary of State’s current proposed ballot measure summary that will appear on the voting ballot provides no description of what this type of judicial analysis is, or the potential impacts of this constitutional change. Moms Demand Action volunteers advocated for clear and accurate language in a new ballot measure summary.
“Ballot Measure 1 is dangerous, vague, and will directly threaten the few public safety measures we have left in Iowa, but the proposed summary is not detailed enough to ensure voters are making an informed decision at the ballot box,” said Temple Hiatt, a volunteer with the Iowa chapter of Moms Demand Action. “In reality, this measure could lead to some of the few common sense gun safety laws we have left being struck down, putting lives in danger. We’ll keep fighting to protect our gun safety laws and keep Iowans safe from gun violence.”
In an average year, 302 people die and 511 people are wounded by guns in Iowa. The rate of gun deaths has increased 56% from 2011 to 2020 in Iowa, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. Gun violence costs Iowa $4.2 billion each year, of which $53 million is paid by taxpayers. Learn more about gun violence in Iowa here.
