William Petroski

bpetrosk@dmreg.com

Legislation making major changes to Iowa's firearms laws advanced in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday with emotional pleas made on both sides of the gun issue.

House File 517, which has already passed the Iowa House, was approved on a 2-1 vote by a Senate subcommittee, advancing the measure to the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee.

The bill includes a "stand your ground" provision that says a law-abiding person does not have a duty to retreat before using deadly force. It would allow people under age 21 to possess a pistol or revolver while under direct supervision of a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old. It would create a uniform permit to carry weapons and provides for five-year permits to acquire handguns rather than single-year permits.

Some other changes include striking possible restrictions on firearms sales during an emergency and possible restrictions on the public carrying firearms during an emergency. The bill would also provide permit-holder confidentiality, add penalties for illegal sales, and legalize short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns.

"This is a civil-rights bill," said Barry Snell, executive director of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, who expressed full support for the legislation. He told lawmakers the bill restores fundamental rights for self-defense and he urged them to be "strong and confident" against critics.

Brandon Berg of Ankeny said that contrary to what the bill's opponents have asserted the legislation will not recreate "The Wild Wild West." The reality is that for Iowans who don't live close to law enforcement, it will prevent situations where an officer must investigate the murder of a law-abiding citizen because it will allow for self-defense, he said.

"I strongly urge that you pass this legislation, just for the sake of our rights and the Second Amendment," Berg said.

Craig Swartz of Adel, a retired Des Moines teacher who is on the board of the Iowa State Pistol and Rifle Association, said critics of the legislation were making unwarranted interpretations of the bill.

"A firearm is a deterrent. It is something that can keep someone from causing trouble," Swartz said.

Opponents of the legislation contend it will lead to needless deaths and serious injuries.

Bernard Clayton of Cedar Rapids, vice chair of the Iowa Democratic Party's Black Caucus, said Iowa's current firearms laws work, adding that he strongly objects to the stand your ground provisions.

"I will tell you that this bill is dangerous. It is essentially a glorified lynching bill," Clayton said. He added a warning: “What will you do if black people show up armed at the state Capitol if you pass this bill? It is very dangerous to this state and very dangerous to you."

Cate Scanes of Urbandale held up pictures of two police officers from the Des Moines area who were shot to death in November in ambush-style attacks. The victims were Des Moines Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Urbandale Officer Justin Martin. Scott Michael Greene is in custody, accused of the shootings. The proposed legislation, Scanes said, "won't make Iowa safer."

Steve Scott, representing the Iowa chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said his organization is concerned about "the deadly combination of guns and children."

"This is not about youth sports shooting. This is about youth having access to guns," Scott said.

While the legislation is intended to require adult supervision of minors using firearms, "we have no reason to believe that most or all parents will," Scott said. Furthermore, Iowa Department of Human Services records show that many parents neglect their children every year, which can lead to children dying or being injured, he said. Most children under 14 lack the physical and emotional development to be using firearms and can put other Iowans at risk, he said.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, opposed the bill, saying she has many questions about the legislation, ranging from allowing guns in public buildings to the safety of Iowans riding on bicycle trails in rural areas where people will be involved in target shooting. Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, and Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, who chaired the subcommittee, both supported the bill.