We’ve seen a lot of movement this week on bills we’re supporting. We’ve also been able to work with friendly legislators to stop horrible bills from gaining traction as well.
Another so-called “Red Flag Law” was dropped this week (HF2367). They seem to multiply like rabbits. You can’t toss a dead cat around the rotunda without hitting another Red Flag bill or the likes. I’m not sure why there needs to be so many versions of new and inventive ways to strip you and I of due process, but for bill sponsors who seem to think nothing of our fundamental rights, maybe this is their version of being thorough.
On a positive note though, SF2224 (formerly SF116 – School Parking Lot Carry) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 10-3 with two Republican Senators absent. Bipartisan support from Democrats and Republicans proves just how common-sense bills like this truly are. Should you be guilty of a felony for dropping your child off at school while you’re peaceably carrying your self-defense weapon? No sane person says yes to that question. Here’s a breakdown of the committee vote:
Yeas, 10: Zaun, Garrett, Kinney, Chapman, Dawson, Schultz, Shipley, Sweeney, R. Taylor, and Whiting. Nays, 3: Bisignano, Hogg, and Petersen.
Absent, 2: Nunn and Sinclair.
HSB615, A bill for an act relating to firearms and weapons, including the storage, carrying, possession, or transportation of weapons and the establishment, use, and maintenance of shooting ranges. This bill was passed subcommittee early this week and was referred to the House Public Safety Committee. If you’re interested in hearing the thunder of Freedom and Liberty from a staunch Second Amendment advocate, listen to Representative Holt’s closing remarks.
These bills, their status, history, and trajectory are available with many others on IFC’s 2020 Legislative Tracker page within our site. We refer to it as the “GBU” – Good, Bad, and Ugly page. We update that page routinely. That’s your source for information and you should be using it. The number of bills we’re working on is staggering once you begin to grasp it. I thank our dedicated volunteers and much cooperation from many upstanding legislators for these great works.
DON’T FORGET!
The Iowa Firearms Coalition is sponsoring Lobby Day at the Iowa Capitol on February 27th. We will meet in room 15 of the Capitol Building from 10a.m.-11a.m. We welcome you to please come by, and say hello to your Representatives and Senators. We will also have informative tables in the rotunda from 12p.m.-4p.m. We’ll walk you through 2A engagement best practices, show you how to locate and contact your elected officials, arm you with methods to continue meaningful and persuasive communication with them, and engage in volunteerism and electioneering.
Parking is all around the Capitol building and many use the ramp a block to the west of the State House. Walking into the West or South lower levels is simple and fast. Room G15 can be found on this map. Let us know you’re coming if you can by responding to this Facebook Event.
For those of you interested in a tour of the Capitol, there is a great map and QR coded tour you can take through the use of your smartphone HERE. Iowa has a unique and beautiful Capitol Building, so drink it in when you can. I recommend bringing children to learn about this magnificent structure as often as you can.
In Freedom,
Michael Ware – IFC Chairman
