Iowa lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would jeopardize our most basic public safety laws, like background checks and concealed carry permits. Proponents are claiming this amendment would simply bring Iowa in line with the majority of other states, but in fact only three states have similarly radical amendments to their constitutions.
The proposed amendment outlined in bills HJR 13 and SJR 18 includes extreme “strict scrutiny” language that's designed to call state and local public safety laws into question and dissuade future solutions to reduce gun violence.
Tell your lawmakers to oppose this dangerous policy!
As a constituent I'm asking you to reject HJR 13 and SJR 18, proposed amendments to the Iowa constitution that would jeopardize our public safety laws, like background checks on all handgun sales and concealed carry permits.
Proponents of these constitutional amendment proposals claim they would simply bring Iowa in line with the majority of other states, but in fact only 3 states have adopted similarly radical constitutional amendments. That's because HJR 13 and SJR 18 include so-called “strict scrutiny” language that is specifically designed to undermine gun safety laws by forcing courts to apply "strict scrutiny" to firearms-related laws.
This extreme "strict scrutiny" language has caused Alabama, Missouri, and Louisiana - the only 3 states that have adopted it - to face costly repercussions. In all three cases, the state has had to pay to defend a flood of lawsuits brought by criminal defendants, including convicted domestic abusers who challenged state prohibitions on gun possession by domestic abusers. The result has drained coffers and disempowered law enforcement.
Please oppose HJR 13 and SJR 18 and support legislation which would protect our communities from gun violence.