VOTE PENDING
The anti-gunners have finally shown their hand on SF425, and what they’re attempting is cringeworthy.
Democrats in the Iowa Senate plan to bring a “gun bill” to the floor for a vote as early as tomorrow (Tuesday). What they’re planning to do though is continue to ignore you, Iowa’s law enforcement, and the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who’d benefit from the Omnibus Gun Bill.
If they get their way they’d never bring SF425 to a vote, ever. What they’re currently doing is systematically cherry picking what they want from the Omnibus Gun Bill and inserting it into a different bill, SF427. They’ve already begun this process. Their goal is to play a shell game with lots of moving parts and at the last minute push through a watered down version of the Omnibus Gun Bill. For example…
SF427 contains what looks like a gun owner privacy protection provision. In reality, it’s written in a way that continues to allow the media to access and publicize your private information.
SF427 contains nothing about repealing Iowa’s archaic ban on youth handgun training. Under this new imposter bill you’d still be a criminal for training your kids on proper gun safety.
Meanwhile, they’re taking all of the non-gun provisions in the Omnibus Gun Bill and inserting them into this new bill SF427. They want to give everyone exactly what they want, unless you’re a gun owner.
They’ve waited until the last minute to do this in hopes that we wouldn’t catch wind of their games. They’re ignoring you, every single phone call you’ve made, every email you’ve sent, and the tens of thousands of messages they’ve received in favor of SF425. They’re ignoring the law enforcement community who’ve endorsed the every part of the Omnibus Gun Bill. They’re refusing to acknowledge the overwhelming number of legislators who want SF425 passed as is. And their continuing to ignore the fact that this bill has already passed 5 massive bi-partisan votes. When you consider all this, their desperation is rather obvious.
None of this bodes well for them, and that’s why they’re trying rush this through as quickly and quietly as possible. To ignore all this, wait until the 11th hour and then let a small minority of anti-gun Senators re-write a perfectly good bill at last second is the epitome of what’s wrong with politics in our country.
The fact is, we know what we’re doing on SF425 is right. We know we have the votes. We know we have the support of our fellow Iowans. We know that the anti-gunners wouldn’t resort to these types of last minute procedural moves if they weren’t out maneuvered, out numbered and desperate.
One final note: SF427, the minority anti-gun Democrat’s attempt to water down the Omnibus Gun Bill does not make the original version disappear. This is a desperate Hail Mary pass to see if we’ll get rattled and settle for less. Regardless of the outcome on SF427, the original, full version, SF425 will remain eligible for a vote. This is the last thing they want you to know, they can still bring SF425 to a vote AS IS.
Things are moving at an extremely quick pace and we’ll be updating you as often as we can. In the mean time thank you for all the calls and emails. The anti-gunners wouldn’t be pulling a stunt like this if it wasn’t for all the pressure you’ve been applying for months. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, and make sure you know exactly what’s going on.
Iowa Firearms Coalition is an entirely volunteer, grassroots, 2nd Amendment advocacy group. Responsible for bringing uniformity to Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting process, IFC’s members work to protect and enhance 2nd Amendment rights in Iowa. An affiliate of the National Rifle Association, the IFC actively seeks to foster and promote the shooting sports. Sign up for our email list for the latest on 2nd Amendment issues in Iowa. You can support our work by becoming a member, or making a donation.
SF427 Had reduced scope to simply Suppressors.
Amendment S3079 has been ruled ‘not germane’ or not applicable. This is the part that contained the rest of the previously discussed legislation, minus the kids part.
While still in caucus discussing strategy it looks like we’ll only get a vote on simply Suppressors at this point, with everything else gutted from the bill.
S3079 was noted “vastly beyond the scope of the original bill” but that’s because SF427 was so stripped down. If being honest, S3079 was actually the same as the bill SF425. What a mess of games being played by senate leadership.
I stand corrected and have lots to learn about how these things are written but from what I can tell they are still playing with changes to the amendments.
Looks like S-3085 changed to S-3079 an amendment to SF427.
From first glance I don’t see the kids handling wording included anywhere as the article states above.
I see some additions regarding rules for permit application for ‘not a United States Citizen’ and ‘alien query’ requirements for applications for conceal carry of non-citizens that I don’t think I saw before.
It appears to allow the release of permit information to a member of the public if the person submits their request in writing but it is for verification and the name and information must be supplied by the requesting party. So that seems to be an improvement over releasing actual names. More of a verification or acknowledgement system.
So Nic, I think yes, we have the potential to get some benefits depending on how the vote goes and what the final amendment looks like once it’s done being played with, we’ll just have to wait and see if it passes and what the final version looks like.
As I stated above, you can watch for updates once they go back into session.
It looks like the bill, now labeled SF427 now ONLY includes the suppressors. At least that’s my impression from looking at it on the Senate website. I’m not sure if that’s to separate it out for easier rejection or the opposite, but unfortunately everything else has been removed from what I can tell. They deferred the vote however waiting on an amendment which could be anything and has not been posted yet, it was noted as “not ready” when they brought it up for discussion around 11:00 this morning.
I’m wondering if they are trying to separate items that people have shown excitement for, aka suppressors, in order to take voter pressure off of the other portions of the bill. Additionally, by separating some of the actual common sense items and public safety items they may think they can get it voted down if it’s only about suppressors, difficult to predict all the games that are likely being played behind the scenes.
Hopefully we see some updates this afternoon. Check in at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/
You can see the updates under “Senate Floor Action” or click the ‘Live’ link near the top.
Nic, lookingat the text of sf 427 located here:
http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&frame=1&GA=86&hbill=SF427
It appears that passage would allow for private ownership of suppressors in Iowa. I have spoken with my senator McCoy(D) and he had always supported this legislation, but felt that much of the content in SF 425 was a “PR” nightmare, for what it’s worth.
I’m curious to know if they’re also trying to strip the bill of the section regarding the legality of suppressors. I know that you had mentioned in the article and an email that they’re going after the provisions dealing with privacy and youth handgun shooting. Although everyone’s goal should be seeing this bill passed with no changes whatsoever I am wondering if there is a chance that we as Iowans will see even some small victories?