Two years ago, Governor Terry Branstad said he was “satisfied” with Iowa’s gun laws. Now, Branstad has the chance to dramatically change them. The Iowa House has just sent Branstad a bill that sponsors say will “give Iowans their freedoms back” when it comes to their firearms. Representative Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley is a gunsmith and his family runs a gun shop.
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The bill provides the “Stand Your Ground” legal shield for Iowans who shoot to defend life or property, so they cannot be charged with a crime or sued in civil court. Critics raised concerns. Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, a Democrat from Des Moines who is black, recently called police after her new white neighbor shouted: “Get…off my property,” and pointed a shotgun at Gaines’ partner who was in the neighbor’s driveway.
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A previous version of the bill would have allowed concealed weapons on the community college and public university campuses in Iowa, but that was removed.
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