Pro-2A Constitutional Amendment Making Progress In Iowa

Bearing Arms ^ | January 21, 2021 | Cam Edwards

[yoe]

The right to keep and bear arms could get extra protection in the state of Iowa if a proposal to amend the state constitution passes and is placed before voters on the 2022 ballot.

The proposed amendment is simple and clear, stating that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” but adding that “any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny,” which is the highest level of judicial review. On Tuesday, the issue received its (first subcommittee hearing), and passed on a 2-1 vote.

" Republicans, who control both the Iowa House and Senate, and gun rights advocates say the amendment language is important to protect the rights enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Democrats and advocates for stronger gun control laws say the “strict scrutiny” language jeopardizes the future of gun safety laws in the state.

“Our language is written with the knowledge that 44 other states’ constitutional provisions, in many cases, failed to protect against egregious gun control laws,” Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, said Tuesday. “The strict scrutiny language is of great importance in protecting this fundamental individual right.”

[yoe]

"Iowa is one of just a half-dozen states that have no mention of the right to keep and bear arms in its state constitution, and it looks like most Democrats in the state legislature want to keep it that way. Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, for example, called the proposed amendment “truly extreme.”

I checked my state's Constitution just to be sure:

Article 2 Section 26 - Bearing arms

26. Bearing arms

Section 26. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men.

Kamala Harris says ... "Could Save “Millions of Lives” With Gun Control" ...

[Spirochete]

... but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men.

So employ an armed body of women, just like Colonel Khadaffi, and you're good to go.

[SGCOS]

..So employ an armed body of women, just like Colonel Khadaffi, and you're good to go.

I'll raise that with 'cover all your bases and employ a group of transgenders'

[skimbell]

This isn’t moving the ball down field.
Iowa is just trying to catch up with the rest of the states here.