Gov Reynolds Signs Iowa Gun Law Lifting Restrictions
Governor Reynolds can expect to take some heat for signing a new gun law that lifts restrictions on private person-to-person gun sales and background checks. But she also has the support of some Iowans who are gun owners and 2nd Amendment proponents.
Critics fear the law will empower criminals, who would be free to buy and sell "person-to-person" without the need for background checks.
Proponents say the law helps solve a problem that faces a growing number of ordinary gun owners, namely how to legally sell a gun privately without a lot of red tape.
The official House File 756 bill can be read here.
Gun enthusiasts know that developing a habit to spend time on the practice range is a commitment that many "ordinary" gun owners won't stick with. Many new gun owners simply store their guns away and rarely, if ever, use them. Thus, after having invested hundreds of dollars on guns and ammo, owners come to realize the difficulty of trying to sell an unused or unwanted gun.
This law is a common-sense measure that allows law-abiding citizens to exercise their fundamental right of self-defense in the manner that best suits their needs -NRA-ILA Executive Director Jason Ouimet
Others believe that keeping track of gun ownership is an essential responsibility of both the owner and law enforcement agencies, and that the new law doesn't uphold private owners to that burden.
Iowa Democrats critical of the Governor's action issued a statement that responded:
Our communities aren’t safer when criminals can legally purchase a handgun without a background check. Background checks are wildly popular, even among gun owners, as a common-sense way to keep people safe. Legislation like this serves no purpose other than appeasing the gun industry and its powerful lobbyists. -Iowa Democratic Party Chair Representative Ross Wilburn
For more information, check in with our news media partners at Iowa's News Now.