Iowans will vote on this amendment to the Iowa constitution in November 2022:
A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is proposed:
Article I of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section:
Right to keep and bear arms.
Sec. IA. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
Here’s why you should vote NO:
The proposed amendment is an overreach of the right to “keep and bear arms”. It is not simply the US Second Amendment. The “subject to strict scrutiny” language is too extreme and could severely hinder any efforts for common sense gun laws. It could lead to costly court challenges of current laws.
We find it unacceptable that pro-gun groups have centered on the “rights” of gun-owning citizens over and against the safety of the general public. We think Iowans have the right not to get shot.
“Strict scrutiny” has been enacted in only three other states: Alabama, Missouri, and Louisiana. Do Iowans want to run risks such as—
- Tying the hands of judges and lawmakers seeking to protect Iowans from the firearms epidemic?
- More guns in the hands of convicted felons, perpetrators of domestic violence, or persons with serious mental illnesses?
- Businesses and homeowners being unable to limit guns on their property?
- Increased costs for court cases challenging gun laws?
“Subject to strict scrutiny”—these four words could change everything.
But you can change everything with one word on November 8, 2022: NO!
For more information, please contact Iowans for Gun Safety at info@iowansforgunsafety.org, or follow us on Facebook.