Governor Terry Branstad says he’s heard from “many” Iowans about the gun bill that got final legislative approval last week, including county attorneys concerned about “Stand your ground” provisions giving Iowans who use their guns to defend life or property new legal protections from lawsuits and criminal charges. But Branstad met with legislators who crafted the bill and the governor says concerns that HE raised were addressed.
The governor cited the five-year-long effort of a central Iowa family who want Iowa law changed so their daughters can target shoot with pistols. The bill would let children under the age of 14 handle pistols and revolvers, under a sober parent’s supervision.
Another section of the bill will allow the nearly quarter of a million Iowans with a concealed weapons permits to carry their guns into the state capitol.
The governor, who has a security detail assigned to him wherever he goes, also praises the unarmed guards stationed at security checkpoints on the two public entrances to the statehouse. Branstad says he feels “safe and secure” in the state capitol. After getting the official version of the bill, Branstad will have three days to sign or veto it.
