Associated Press

DES MOINES — State officials would lose their legal authority to restrict gun owners' lawful use of weapons during emergencies under a measure an Iowa House panel advanced Thursday, one of several proposals being considered this session seeking to expand gun rights.

During a brief meeting, a divided three-member panel from the House Judiciary Committee signed off on the bill, which now heads to the full committee. It needs approval there before it could be available to the full House.

The bill would specify that state officials cannot prohibit, regulate or curtail lawful gun possession during a public disorder or disaster emergency proclamation. Current law allows state officials to do so, through a provision under emergency management and security. It says in such instances, state officials may suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of firearms, as well as alcohol, explosives and combustibles.

Critics of the bill say such a situation would be rare.

Janet Rosenbury, a board member of Iowans for Gun Safety, also said the bill would not be helpful to law enforcement trying to do their jobs in such scenarios.

"It undermines the confidence and respect of police and law enforcement," she said.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, sponsored the bill and said it would protect Second Amendment rights.

"I don't want Iowans' constitutional rights to be arbitrary undermined by this administration or any future administration," he said. "I'm not saying that it would happen, but sometimes we have to protect against the 'what-ifs' out there."

Windschitl, whose family owns a gun store in Missouri Valley, has introduced several bills this session that focus on expanding gun rights. They include measures that failed to gain enough traction last session, such as a bill that would remove the age limit for children to use a handgun with a parent's supervision and legislation that would legalize the use of suppressors to help silence weapons.

It's unclear what kind of support the bill over gun rights in an emergency will get in the Democratic-controlled Senate. That chamber failed to pass Windschitl's comprehensive gun bill last session. Sen. Steven Sodders, D-State Center, has led support for some gun rights measures in the past. He said earlier this month he has spoken with Windschitl about the new bills, but he needs to discuss them with his caucus.