VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Iowa Legislature Rejects Dangerous Gun Bills, Adjourning Without Passing Any Gun Lobby Priority Legislation

DES MOINES, Iowa. –  The Iowa chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Iowa legislature officially ended its legislative session, adjourning sine die without passing any gun lobby priorities. Iowa Moms Demand Action volunteers testified and attended multiple hearings against dangerous bills that would have furthered the gun lobby’s ‘guns everywhere’ agenda.

“We have seen what weakening gun safety laws can do to our communities, lawmakers cannot continue to risk the lives of Iowans,” said Traci Kennedy, a volunteer with the Iowa chapter of Moms Demand Action. “While we are relieved that the legislature rejected efforts to further weaken our gun laws this session, Iowa lawmakers must step up and prioritize the safety of our communities by passing common-sense gun safety laws. As our state battles worrying gun violence rates, we expect lawmakers to come together and focus on the issues affecting Iowan families.” 

The following gun safety bills were not passed by the Iowa legislature: 

• Senate File 543 / House File 654 – legislation that forces loaded guns onto parking lots. The bills would have forced employers to allow employees to store loaded guns in their vehicles. It also would have forced loaded guns into parking lots in the following locations: correctional facilities, on school property, universities and community college campuses, casinos & other gambling locations.
• House File 147 – legislation to nullify federal gun laws and penalize law enforcement agencies who attempt to enforce federal gun safety protections, despite widespread opposition from public safety advocates. Similar legislation failed last year, when “its Republican sponsor agreed with critics that the measure’s language must be reworked to address several concerns.”
• House File 73, a bill that would have required children enrolled in firearm safety training programs in public schools to go through the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie Eagle” program. The program was deemed ineffective by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

In an average year in Iowa, 323 people die by guns. Gun violence costs Iowa $4.2 billion each year, of which $53.0 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Iowa  available here.

To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.