A new federal report shows a significant decrease in firearm injuries and deaths, but it’s not happening in Iowa. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found gun deaths fell 26-percent nationwide between 1993 and ’98. John Johnson, director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence, says Iowa saw no such decline — and the numbers were steady for the decade. Johnson says the rise in the popularity of crack cocaine in the late ’80s and early ’90s brought a rise in big-city shootings which gradually was brought under control. Johnson says Iowa’s numbers were steady since crack wasn’t prominent here. Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence has lobbied state lawmakers on several gun-related issues. Johnson’s disappointed by the defeat of one measure in particular.The bill to close loopholes in gun show purchases only passed a Senate committee. Johnson says they’ll try again next year to get the bill passed.
