Matt Windschitl
A bill that deals with a wide range of gun-related issues has easily cleared the Iowa House on a 75-24 vote.
“We have before us here a bill that does many things to advance Second Amendment rights here in the state of Iowa,” Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, said this morning.
The bill would allow Iowans to buy “silencers” that suppress the sound of a gunshot. It also would get rid of the restriction that forbids kids under the age of 14 from handling a pistol or handgun. If this bill becomes law, kids of any age could handle a gun, if they’re being supervised by a parent.
“This bill lifts the archaic ban on parents from being able to teach their children who are under the age of 14 proper firearm safety and handling of a pistol,” Windschitl said. “We already have laws on the books that allow a parent to teach a child under the age of 18 how to use a rifle or a shotgun at any age. I believe our laws in regards to pistols should match up with that and put the responsibility where it rightfully belongs — in the parents’ hands.”
None of those who voted against the bill spoke out against it, which Windschitl noted during his remarks.
“It’s not often that you can bring a bill of this enormity to the floor of the Iowa House and have no debate on it,” Windschitl said.
A similar bill has cleared a committee in the Iowa Senate. The Senate’s Democratic leader told reporters last week he won’t bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate until there’s a “consensus” on the proposals outlined in the legislation.