The Iowa Senate has officially passed the largest pro-gun bill in state history. House File 517, also known as the Omnibus Gun Bill, passed the Senate by a 33-17 margin on Tuesday, April 4th. The bill had an amendment, you can read it here, which means it’ll go back to the House for a concurance vote (which we expect it to pass easily) before going to Governor Branstad’s desk.
The following Senators not only voted Yes on HF517, they also stood and testified in favor of the bill, often countering outrageous claims made by opponents of HF517. We encourage you to reach out to all the Senators who voted yes on HF517, but these seven most certainly deserve thanks.
Dan Dawson – dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov
Jeff Edler – jeff.edler@legis.iowa.gov
Julian Garret – julian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov
Jerry Behn – jerry.behn@legis.iowa.gov
Mark Chelgren – mark.chelgren@legis.iowa.gov
Brad Zaun – brad.zaun@legis.iowa.gov
Jake Chapman – jake.chapman@legis.iowa.gov
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Also of note, HF517 passed with bi-partisan support. Republicans who have traditionally been strong supporters of Second Amendment rights were able pull four Democrats into the Yes column. This is significant and the Iowa Firearms Coalition commends these four for listening to the constituents and voting their district. Please take a moment to send them an email thanking them for their Yes vote on HF517.
Chaz Allen – chaz.allen@legis.iowa.gov
Tod Bowman – tod.bowman@legis.iowa.gov
Wally Horn – wally.horn@legis.iowa.gov
Rich Taylor – rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Remember, all session long legislators get bombarded with emails and phone calls from people demanding that they do this or that. Very rarely does a lawmaker ever hear the words Thank You, and when they do the remember it. It’s important that we acknowledge those who’ve helped protect and enhance our right to keep and bear arms.
Please, take a few minutes to send a brief email thanking these Senators for their support. It doesn’t have to be anything in-depth. Just tell them you’re an Iowa Firearms Coalition supporter and you appreciate their Yes vote on HF517. You’d be surprised how few people take the time to thank those who do the right thing.
These 33 Senators voted Yes on HF517
Bill Anderson
Jerry Behn
Rick Bertrand
Michael Breitbach
Waylon Brown
Jake Chapman
Mark Chelgren
Mark Costello
Dan Dawson
Bill Dix
Jeff Edler
Randy Feenstra
Julian Garrett
Tom Greene
Dennis Guth
Craig Johnson
Tim Kapucian
Tim Kraayenbrink
Mark Lofgren
Ken Rozenboom
Charles Schneider
Jason Schultz
Mark Segebart
Tom Shipley
Amy Sinclair
Roby Smith
Jack Whitver
Brad Zaun
Dan Zumbach
Chas Allen
Tod Bowman
Wally Horn
Rich Taylor
bill.anderson@legis.iowa.gov, jerry.behn@legis.iowa.gov, rick.bertrand@legis.iowa.gov, michael.breitbach@legis.iowa.gov, waylon.brown@legis.iowa.gov, jake.chapman@legis.iowa.gov, mark.chelgren@legis.iowa.gov, mark.costello@legis.iowa.gov, dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov, bill.dix@legis.iowa.gov, jeff.edler@legis.iowa.gov, randy.feenstra@legis.iowa.gov, julian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov, tom.greene@legis.iowa.gov, dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov, craig.johnson@legis.iowa.gov, tim.kapucian@legis.iowa.gov, tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov, mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov, ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov, charles.schneider@legis.iowa.gov, jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov, mark.segebart@legis.iowa.gov, tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov, amy.sinclair@legis.iowa.gov, roby.smith@legis.iowa.gov, jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov, brad.zaun@legis.iowa.gov, dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov, chaz.allen@legis.iowa.gov, tod.bowman@legis.iowa.gov, wally.horn@legis.iowa.gov, rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
These 17 Senators vote No on HF517
Tony Bisignano
Joe Bolkcom
Nate Boulton
Jeff Danielson
Bill Dotzler
Robery Dvorsky
Rita Hart
Rob Hogg
Pam Jochum
David Johnson
Kevin Kinney
Jim Lykam
Liz Mathis
Matt McCoy
Janet Peterson
Herman Quirmbach
Amanda Ragan
AND my most recent email…
“Dear Sir:
I am a bit disappointed and extremely surprised you have not contacted me, one of your constituents, about my inquiry as you said you would.
Your 1st reply when you were concerned that I would henpeck your quotes was this: ”
Blaine,
Before I rush a reply, I can’t find a listing for you in Spencer, or Clay County for that matter. And if I do write a detailed reply, can you assure me that it will be shared with your friends and colleagues in its totality? You know, so many people are taken out of context these days!
Yours in the Second Amendment,”
And my reply was: ”
David:
Odd that you can not find me. Is this a request for my address? Not sure how you looked for me but I assure you I am on the tax roles, the real estate roles, voter registration, etc. Feel free to ask if you wish my address.
As to …”if I do write a detailed reply, can you assure me that it will be shared with your friends and colleagues in its totality?”, I give you my word it will.
So often these days, so many people do not believe that their word is their bond. I do.
Blaine Byers
Shall I wait a bit longer, knowing that you probably have many concerned voters asking you questions or shall I pass on the word that you were either unwilling or unable to provide me with your reasoning?
Patiently waiting:
Blaine Byers
Anti-American Legislators
Each and every legislator in Iowa is required to take the following oath of office:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that I will faithfully and impartially, to the best of my ability, discharge all the duties of the office in (name of township, city, county, district, or state), as now or hereafter required by law.”
How is it then that any legislator can “solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States” AND be anti-Second Amendment the same time? The short answer is, they can’t. The simple truth is ANY legislator of any party who is anti-Second Amendment is, by definition, anti-American and is a liar with the solemn oath they took. This means every legislator who voted against HF-517 is anti-American and a lair.
We should therefore all work hard to aggressively get ALL anti-Second Amendment legislators voted out of office. If not, we are complacent by allowing anti-American legislators who are lairs to stay in office. Having ANY anti-American legislator in office is simply unacceptable.
Tom Conley, A Proud 2A Supporter
I wrote to my Senator Chaz Allen twice. He has never responded. My question was why did he vote the way he did.
His reply 1st, then mine:
Blaine,
Before I rush a reply, I can’t find a listing for you in Spencer, or Clay County for that matter. And if I do write a detailed reply, can you assure me that it will be shared with your friends and colleagues in its totality? You know, so many people are taken out of context these days!
Yours in the Second Amendment,
David Johnson
State Senator
P.O. Box 279
Ocheyedan, Iowa 51354-0279
712-348-2953
david.johnson@legis.iowa.gov
David:
Odd that you can not find me. Is this a request for my address? Not sure how you looked for me but I assure you I am on the tax roles, the real estate roles, voter registration, etc. Feel free to ask if you wish my address.
As to …”if I do write a detailed reply, can you assure me that it will be shared with your friends and colleagues in its totality?”, I give you my word it will.
So often these days, so many people do not believe that their word is their bond. I do.
Blaine Byers
A copy of my email sent to Senator David Johnson :
Dear Sir:
I am disappointed that you voted against HF517. Before I rush to judgement about how I will be voting in the upcoming election cycles, would you care to clarify exactly why you voted against this bill? I will be sharing your answer/reply with my friends and colleagues so feel free to be as precise as you can with your reasoning.
Blaine (Cork) Byers
Spencer, IA
I obviously only expect a form letter in response but we shall see.
Cork
Thank you all for approving HF517