Major Victories in the Iowa House of Representatives!

What a week it’s been in Des Moines.

As I told you yesterday, HF-945 passed the House by a vote of 89-6 on Monday.

This bill makes significant improvements to our self-defense law by allowing us to assert Stand-Your-Ground law in a pre-trial immunity hearing.

But late yesterday, the House passed HF-924, as well! This legislation lowered the age when an Iowan can obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18.

Driven on by wave after wave of emails from IGO members, this bill passed 79-18 (with an amendment that we supported.)

If you’re confused about how a person can apply for a permit at 18, but a dealer can’t sell a handgun to anyone until 21, I can clear that up for you.

Federal law says you must be 18 to buy/possess a handgun (and long gun.) The 21-year-old threshold only applies to the sales end — and that’s only if it’s a FFL licensed seller.

In other words, an 18-year-old can get a carry permit and then buy a gun from a private party or use a loaner from his parents.

It’s perfectly legal, and it is how things work in dozens of other states that allow 18-year-old to carry concealed.

(Myself and Steve Holt (R), Holt was the sponsor and floor manager for both HF-945 and HF-924. He said your emails were very helpful!)

Both of these bills are now in the Senate.

The Senate can pass them, kill them, or amendment them and then pass them. But this is the more liberal chamber, and we can’t take anything for granted.

Please send your State Senator TWO pre-written emails now.