A bill that deals with a wide range of gun-related issues has easily cleared the Iowa House on a 75 to 24 vote. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, was the bill’s floor manager.
“We have before us here a bill that does many things to advance Second Amendment rights here in the state of Iowa,” Windschitl says.
The bill would allow Iowans to buy “silencers” that suppress the sound of a gunshot. It also would get rid of the restriction that forbids kids under the age of 14 from handling a pistol or handgun. If this bill becomes law, kids of any age could handle a gun, if they’re being supervised by a parent.
“This bill lifts the archaic ban on parents from being able to teach their children who are under the age of 14 proper firearm safety and handling of a pistol,” Windschitl says. “We already have laws on the books that allow a parent to teach a child under the age of 18 how to use a rifle or a shotgun at any age. I believe our laws in regards to pistols should match up with that and put the responsibility where it rightfully belongs — in the parents’ hands.”
None of those who voted against the bill spoke out against it, which Windschitl noted during his remarks.
“It’s not often that you can bring a bill of this enormity to the floor of the Iowa House and have no debate on it,” Windschitl said.
A similar bill has cleared a committee in the Iowa Senate. The Senate’s Democratic leader told reporters last week he won’t bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate until there’s a “consensus” on the proposals outlined in the legislation.
