gun control
Law enforcement officials urge action against rising numbers of ‘ghost guns’
WASHINGTON — An exponential increase in so-called “ghost guns” has put extra burdens on law enforcement, officials said during a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised a crackdown the firearms, which are easily assembled from kits and not subject to federal gun laws. Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison testified that his department […]
Federal background checks on ammunition sales pushed by Democrats
WASHINGTON — Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Tuesday reintroduced legislation that would require instant background checks to prevent individuals with a criminal record from illegally purchasing ammunition. The measure backed by the Democrats, known as Jaime’s Law, is named in honor of Jaime Guttenberg, a student who […]
U.S. gun violence an ‘international embarrassment,’ Biden says in rolling out executive action
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday reiterated his call on Congress to pass stalled gun legislation reform but also outlined executive action he’s taking on several gun control measures, following deadly mass shootings last month in Colorado and Georgia. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic and it’s an international embarrassment,” Biden said […]
Accused domestic abuser says he now has a gun permit
An eastern Iowa man whose domestic-violence conviction led to his being denied a gun permit says he has now legally obtained that permit. The dispute over whether 51-year-old Todd Michael Hansel of Dubuque is entitled to a gun permit has coincided with passage of a new state law eliminating, effective July 1, the legal requirement […]
Biden administration to suggest model ‘red flag’ gun laws for states
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice will distribute model “red flag” legislation to states so they can enact laws that would allow courts to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual who is distressed, according to senior Biden administration officials. “The president will not wait for Congress to act before the administration takes our own […]
Gun control fails quickly in Congress after each mass shooting, but states often act – including to loosen gun laws
Recent mass shootings at three spas in Atlanta, Georgia and a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado have renewed calls for new gun legislation. The U.S. has been here before — after shootings in Tucson, Aurora, Newtown, Charleston, Roseburg, San Bernardino, Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland, El Paso and other communities across the United States. Congress has declined […]
Reynolds declines to say whether she’ll sign bill eliminating handgun permit requirement
Gov. Kim Reynolds would not say Wednesday whether she plans to sign legislation approved last week to eliminate permit requirements for Iowans to purchase or carry a handgun. Reynolds, responding to a reporter’s question at a news conference, said her staff is currently reviewing House File 756. The bill received final approval by the Iowa […]
Biden calls on Senate to act on background checks after mass shooting in Colorado
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged the U.S. Senate to immediately pass legislation to close loopholes on background checks for guns and to ban assault weapons, following a mass shooting that killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket. “This should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue.” Biden’s remarks […]
Bill to remove handgun permit requirements passes Senate, headed to governor’s desk
Two controversial firearms bills are headed to the governor’s desk after a Senate debate on Monday. The Senate passed bills to remove permit requirements for the purchase and carry of handguns and to limit the liability of firearm and ammunition manufacturers and sellers. “This bill fundamentally changes the relationship between our state government and our […]
Bill to remove Iowa’s gun permit requirements advances quickly in House, Senate
A bill repealing Iowa’s gun permit requirements is advancing quickly through Iowa’s House and Senate ahead of a legislative deadline at the end of this week. Under the new bill, known as Senate Study Bill 1232 and House Study Bill 254, Iowans could purchase and carry a handgun without applying for permits through the sheriff’s […]
Bill would remove mandate for permits to acquire, carry firearms
Republican lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that would allow Iowans to purchase and carry firearms without a permit. Under current law, Iowans must obtain a permit to acquire a pistol or revolver, and then apply for a second permit to carry that weapon in public. House Study Bill 254 proposes that Iowans could purchase a […]
Lawmakers advance liability protection for gun manufacturers, sellers
Gun and ammunition manufacturers and sellers would be shielded from liability for shooting injuries and deaths under legislation approved Thursday by an Iowa House committee. House Study Bill 116 states that the manufacture and distribution of firearms by duly authorized entities is “not unreasonably dangerous.” It would prevent lawsuits for nuisance abatement or recovery of […]