KDSN RADIO News
Iowa bill that lowers age to own a handgun advances in Senate
DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa Senate judiciary subcommittee voted to unanimously move a bill that lowers the age to own and purchase a handgun to the full committee level on Tuesday morning. WHO-TV in Des Moines reports The bill was voted through the full Iowa House chamber last week by a vote of 79 to 18. The wording in the legislation changes the age from 21 to 18 years old to purchase, acquire or carry a pistol or a revolver in the state.
All three state senators signed off on moving the bill forward, with the one democrat on the subcommittee wrestling with his vote. The chair of the subcommittee, State Senator Scott Webster (R), District 47, shared that his daughter had just turned 18 and is a real estate agent. He signed off on the bill, saying that this gives him more comfort that she will be able to properly defend herself.
Federal law does not allow someone to purchase a handgun under the age of 18 from a federally licensed dealer, but the state is able to change Iowa code to allow for an 18-year-old to purchase a gun from a private dealer, or have a parent or guardian purchase it and gift it to the individual; along with allowing the person to carry the handgun as well.
The bill must be passed through the Iowa Senate Judiciary committee before Friday, April 4 to be considered ‘funnel-proof.’
