The Iowa government, Kim Reynolds, on Friday signed a law that relaxes gun ownership regulations by eliminating the need for a permit to buy or carry handguns in the state.
The new law comes into force on July 1, and many call it a “constitutional bill”.
“Today, I signed legislation that protects the rights of Iowa’s law-abiding citizens while still preventing the sale of firearms to criminals and other dangerous individuals,” Reynolds said in a statement Friday afternoon.
FILE – In this July 7, 2020 file, the Government of Iowa Kim Reynolds speaks at a news conference in Urbandale, Iowa. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall, File)
The Republican acknowledged that the bill would not prevent ‘bad actors’ from acquiring handguns, but that it would protect the rights of her citizens.
The bill does not offer the freedom to buy guns without any barriers.
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Under previous legislation, a citizen would have to pass a background study to obtain a permit needed to buy or carry handguns. The new law still requires background checks or permits for federally licensed dealers, but it no longer requires it for individual suppliers.
Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online. Iowa State Daily reports
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Democrats and gun violence prevention groups have called on Reynolds to veto the legislation.
“A person may be able to buy a firearm from a private seller without background checks and then be able to carry that firearm anywhere in public without any skills training for firearms if this bill is passed,” the Senate Minority Leader said. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville. , Reynolds said on a call, according to the Des Moines Register.
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Wahls also pointed to previous comments Reynolds made in support of the current gun law in Iowa: In 2018, Reynolds said Iowa has “reasonable and responsible gun laws.”
Reynolds reiterated her position in 2019 when she refused to support similar legislation on the grounds that background checks and permits ‘are the right thing to do’, according to The Gazette.
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Asked about the rulings recently, Reynolds acknowledged that she had said in the past that the policy was good, but that she would look at new legislation as it was presented.
Tennessee is also ready to allow permissible handguns for adults 21 years and older, and Republican Gov. Bill Lee is expected to sign the newly passed bill.