I attended the House Public Safety Committee (HPSC) meeting this afternoon, where a vote on HSB18 was taken. HSB18 passed out of the HPSC with a vote of 14-5, so it now goes to the floor of the full Iowa House of Representatives for debate. HSB18 is a reform to the Emergency Powers Act; if passed, HSB18 would make it illegal for a citizen to be removed of his or her ammunition or firearms during a state of emergency, and it would protect a citizen's right to transport and carry firearms during that time. Essentially, it prevents another "Katrina aftermath" from happening in Iowa.
The vote was almost completely along party lines. Representatives R. Olson and Swaim were not present. All of the Republicans voted for the passage of HSB18, while all of the Democrats – with one exception – voted against passage. The lone Democrat who voted to protect the rights of Iowa citizens who own firearms was Representative Wolfe.
In addition, HSB18 was passed out of the HPSC exactly as it was submitted. There was only a small amount of debate given prior to the vote.
Representative Wolfe wanted to know if HSB18 was redundant, since Iowa law already prohibits localities from passing any law that supersedes state law. Representative Windschitl, who was running the debate, said that HSB18 is NOT redundant, since it deals with a state of emergency, not with normal laws that are in place.
Representative Wolfe went on to say that she believes that the jurisdictions that have passed ordinances or resolutions banning firearms in the face of Iowa's preemption laws are wrong. She is a supporter of preemption, and believes that the jurisdictions need to follow state law.
Representative Kressig asked how many times a state of emergency had been declared by an Iowa Governor. Nobody was able to provide that answer.
The final tally:
Voting AYE – to protect the rights of citizens:
- Baudler
- Shaw
- Alons
- Brandenburg
- Fry
- Hagenow
- Klein
- S. Olson
- Rayhons
- Sands
- Tjepkes
- Windschitl
- Wolfe
Voting NAY – to allow your rights to be removed:
- Kressig
- Abdul-Samad
- Berry
- Gaines
- Muhlbauer
Absent:
- R. Olson
- Swaim
Hats off to Representative Wolfe for doing the right thing, voting the right way, and even making it known that she supports preemption. She is another example, at least in this case, of the fact that firearms rights are not always a D or R thing. There are pro-gun Democrats, and there are anti-gun Republicans. Hopefully, Iowans can count on Representative Wolfe to continue to support their firearms rights.
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Comments
Abdul-Samad was no surprise. He want's everyone but his homie thugs to be disarmed. I hope this one goes all the way to the Governor. We may never need it, but like the concealed handgun on my hip, it's nice to know it's there.
So, remember November 2012, these Reps do NOT support Iowa gun rights:
Voting NAY – to allow your rights to be removed:
Kressig
Abdul-Samad
Berry
Gaines
Muhlbauer
Maybe they are proud enough to brag about opposing the right to self defense when they run for re-election?
I wonder if any of those five are willing to *try* to disarm us in an emergency?
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