Last Thursday the House passed HF 2502 which ensures firearms laws are consistent across the state and prevents cities and counties from illegally infringing on the rights of law-abiding Iowans to have firearms. During the debate in committee and on the floor. There seems to be a general misunderstanding about what the bill will allow and the restrictions it puts in place.
Claim: Grenades will be allowed in Court Houses
Fact: This claim is unfounded. Grenades are federally regulated and illegal to own in almost all cases. No Iowan will legally be entering Court Houses or any facility with a grenade.
Claim: Bump stocks will be unregulated
Fact: Bump Stocks have been federally banned March of 2019. This means that no one can sell, own or use a bump stock on their firearm. There are no exceptions to this federal ban. Any cities attempting to ban bump stocks are doing so unnecessarily. Because Bump stocks are already ban by federal law.
Claim: HF 2502 attacks local control
Fact: Political subdivisions have never had the right to regulate firearms. Iowa law is clear that authority lies with the state. The bill has language to clarify that the power to regulate firearms accessories is also a state power. Firearms accessories can be anything from a scope, to a legally owned and registered suppressor, or even a different size magazine. If each city or county regulated these items, Iowans would never know where their accessories are legal or illegal and would unknowingly be subject to confiscation and arrest. A scope in Hamilton County could be legal but criminal to possess in Johnson county. A uniform set of laws helps keep all Iowans safe.
Claim: Property Owners can’t regulate weapons on their property
Fact: Property Owners can still regulate the possession of weapons on their property. However, if firearms are banned then individuals must be screened for weapons and armed security must be provided at the facility. Iowans should know they are well protected even when an institution bans weapons in specific locations.
Claim: HF 2502 allows guns on school grounds
Fact: Nothing in HF 2502 changes the laws on firearms in schools. Iowa code 724.4B clearly bans firearms on school grounds with a few notable exceptions that have been in code for a significant amount of time. Any claims that this allows unregulated carrying of weapons on school grounds are false.
