Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to take the first step toward giving Iowans the opportunity to add a gun rights amendment to the state’s constitution. The same proposal would have to clear the legislature in 2019 or 2020 before Iowa voters could decide whether to add the gun rights language to the state’s constitution. If adopted, it requires courts to strictly scrutinize any gun laws. Representative Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Orange City, dismissed what he called “lawyer talk” criticizing that part of the proposal.
Representative Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, called the proposal “extreme.”
After three hours of debate, the House passed the proposal on a 54 to 42 vote. All 54 “yes” votes came from Republicans. Two Republicans — Representatives Dave Heaton of Mount Vernon and Andy McKean of Anamosa — joined all the Democrats in the House in voting no.
