History of Iowa Gun Owners
Prior to our founding, Iowa had some of the worst gun laws in the Midwest, including a horribly abusive ‘May Issue’ permit law. Gun owners were arrested for daring to defend themselves from criminals, and we had no protections for gun rights in our state constitution.
Additionally, Iowa was a completely Democrat-run state, with many Democrats having an A-rating from national gun organizations, giving them no incentive to fight for gun rights. Even Republicans were filing gun control bills!
Over the years, not only has Iowa Gun Owners completely changed Iowa’s gun laws, but the results of our election programs have completely reshaped Iowa politics.
2008: Iowa Gun Owners is Founded
IGO was founded by Iowans who were tired of seeing A-ranked Democrats and Republicans do nothing to expand gun rights in Des Moines.
2009: IGO Files Iowa’s First Ever Constitutional Carry Bill
IGO filed the first-ever Constitutional Carry bill in Des Moines (H.F. 596). Working with Rep. Kent Sorenson, we forced a roll call vote on that bill, resulting in a 49-49 tie, setting the stage for 2010.
2010: IGO Passes Shall Issue, Gun Owners Flip the House
IGO forced roll-call votes on Constitutional Carry in the House with Rep. Rod Roberts and in the Senate with Sen. David Hartsuch. While Democrats voted both bills down, the stage was set for the 2010 elections. Democrats enacted Shall Issue law to try to buy political cover. It didn’t work. Later that year, IGO members flipped the Iowa House and elected Terry Branstad.
2011: IGO Forces Second Roll-Call Vote on Constitutional Carry
IGO expected House Republicans to keep their promise and pass Constitutional Carry. When that didn’t happen, IGO forced a roll call vote on the bill, working with Rep. Tom Shaw, putting the Republicans on the record.
2012: IGO Begins the Stand-Your-Ground Battle
IGO met Jay Rodney Lewis, who was falsely arrested in West Des Moines for multiple felonies after he shot a violent criminal (one of two who were coming at him) with dozens of prior arrests. The jury acquitted Lewis in 90 minutes, but the situation wrecked his life. IGO pivoted away from Constitutional Carry to Stand-Your-Ground law. Stand-Your-Ground passed the House but died in the Senate.
2013: Democrats Attempt to Pass Statewide Gun Registry
Democrats tried to hide a statewide gun registry in the Senate Education Committee. Tipped off by then-State Senator Joni Ernst, IGO mobilized gun owners and killed the bill.
2014: Stand-Your-Ground Battle Continues, Gun Registry Defeated
Michael Bloomberg’s gun control organization launched an Iowa chapter, and Senate Democrats went all in for a statewide gun registry (S.F. 2179). IGO members again killed the bill while pushing for Stand-Your-Ground law.
2015: IGO Makes Major Push for Stand-Your-Ground Law
IGO made a major push for Stand-Your-Ground law in the House with Rep. Steve Holt (H.F. 52) and in the Senate with Sen. Rick Bertrand (S.F. 137). While the Democrats controlled the Senate, the entire GOP caucus co-sponsored this bill, setting us up for 2016.
2016: IGO Members Flip the Iowa Senate
Senate Democrats killed Constitutional Carry and Stand-Your-Ground, but fearing a bloodbath in November, they legalized suppressors in an attempt to buy political cover. That failed, as IGO spent over $150,000 on radio ads, digital ads, TV ads, and more exposing Senate Democrats. Gun owners flipped the Iowa Senate in 2016.
2017: IGO Passes Stand-Your-Ground Law
IGO killed efforts to pass an AR-15 ban (H.F. 157) and a statewide gun registry (H.F. 145) while pushing for Stand-Your-Ground law with Senator Bertrand. This effort morphed into a massive gun omnibus bill, resulting in passage of Stand-Your-Ground, pre-emption reform, Capitol Carry, the legalization of short-barreled rifles, and removal of language that let the Governor suspend gun rights during an emergency. Terry Branstad resigns as Governor, to become the Ambassador to China.
2018: IGO Hammers on GOP-Backed Red Flag Gun Seizures
House Republican leaders went on Iowa Press to brag about their efforts to pass a bipartisan ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ bill. IGO hammered House Republicans, setting off a bitter (but necessary) feud. The idea went nowhere. Sen. Bertrand filed IGO’s Constitutional Carry bill (S.F. 2106, with 18 cosponsors), but it was pulled from committee the day after the Parkland, Florida school shooting.
2019: IGO Resumes the Fight For Constitutional Carry
IGO again filed Constitutional Carry (S.F. 165). Senate Republicans again killed the bill, this time publicly attacking IGO.
2020: COVID-19 Interrupts Everything
COVID-19 affected the entire legislative process. Biden ‘wins’ the election.
2021: IGO Passes Constitutional Carry Law
Rep. Steve Holt filed Constitutional Carry (H.F. 756). IGO members submitted over 1,500 public comments in support of the bill through the legislative website. Constitutional Carry passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds. IGO immediately pivoted to the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA).
2022: IGO Members Enact the Freedom Amendment
IGO had SAPA filed by Rep. Jeff Shipley (H.F. 2303). Sen. Zach Nunn filed identical legislation in the Senate (S.F. 2002). SAPA passed the Senate subcommittee before leadership killed both bills. The Freedom Amendment passed the legislature and got on the ballot. IGO spent $50,000 in digital ads urging Iowans to reject the Left’s lies regarding this amendment, which protects gun rights in the state constitution. The Freedom Amendment passed in November with over 65% of the vote.
2023: IGO Files Second Amendment Protection Act (SAPA) Legislation
IGO filed SAPA legislation with Rep. Jeff Shipley (H.F. 147). SAPA passed the House Judiciary Subcommittee but did not proceed any further.
2025: IGO Lowers Age to Possess a Handgun to 18
IGO worked with Rep. Steve Holt on language to enhance Iowa’s Stand-Your-Ground law. The bill was H.F. 945, and it passed the House by a vote of 86-6. Senate Republicans killed the bill with no reason given at all. IGO also worked with Rep. Steve Holt on H.F. 924 to lower the age when Iowans could possess or carry handguns from 21 to 18. This bill was signed into law by Governor Reynolds on April 18.