Jason Noble

jnoble2@dmreg.com

Language allowing children of any age to possess a handgun could be added to one of the final bills up for consideration in Iowa's 2014 legislative session.

State Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield, has offered an amendment to the so-called "standings" bill striking wording currently in state law that allows only minors 14 years and older to possess and shoot handguns with adult supervision.

The change would mean a child of any age could, for example, shoot a pistol or revolver at a shooting range so long as they were supervised by a parent or guardian or a shooting instructor with parental consent.

A standalone bill with similar language was introduced earlier this year, but failed to advance. The standings bill contains several appropriations – including billions of dollars in funding for K-12 schools – but frequently is the target of numerous amendments on unrelated matters in the final days of the sessions as lawmakers are looking to tie up loose ends and adjourn.

Baudler's amendment is at least partially inspired by the Gibson family of Johnston. Nathan Gibson has been taking his 8- and 10-year-old daughters to the shooting range and on hunting trips for years, but was turned away earlier this month when the gunsmith alerted him and his 8-year-old of the law.

Iowa Gun Owners, an advocacy group, has highlighted the Gibson family in an effort to get the law changed.

Although the measure could be added to the bill in the Republican-led House, it's almost sure to be removed by the Democratic Senate, where key lawmakers have said any legislation loosening gun restrictions will not be considered this year.