(Des Moines) Iowa’s age limit on owning firearms would be lowered from 21 to 18 under a bill advanced by a House Judiciary subcommittee Tuesday.
Current Iowa law requires Iowans to be at least 21 years old to obtain permits for carrying weapons and to acquire pistols and revolvers. House Study Bill 262 would lower those age requirements to allow people who are 18 years old to obtain these firearms and permits like concealed carry licenses in Iowa.
Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, pointed to court decisions in cases including New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen in the U.S. Supreme Court and Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. v. McCraw in a U.S. District Court. The rulings found that some extra restrictions on adults owning firearms, like age restrictions, are unconstitutional under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
“This is coming whether we do it legislatively or not, the court’s going to do it for us,” Holt said. “I think this is common sense and respectful of the rights of those under 21 to exercise their right to keep their arms and the protection of things that they hold dear.”
But Connie Ryan with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa said the age restriction for adults under age 21 was important because there are increased dangers when allowing people ages 18 to 20 to possess and carry firearms. Though 18- to 20-year-olds make up just 4% of the U.S. population, this age demographic accounts for 17% of known gun homicide offenders, according to analysis from the Giffords Law Center, a group that advocates against gun violence.
Ryan also said that 18- to 20-year-olds commit a disproportionate share of school and mass shootings, and that these younger people are at higher risk of committing suicide by using a gun.
“This is not about the Second Amendment, this is about public safety,” she said. “This is about what is in the best interest of our young people, their health and safety and that of the people around them.”
Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, did not support the bill moving forward, saying she was “deeply concerned” about the health and safety of children and teens in relation to guns. Studies have found firearm-related injuries are the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. among children and adolescents.
Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, said he supported the measure because it would put Iowa’s age requirements on firearms in line with other issues like joining the military or voting.
“It’s been an ongoing conversation and argument for years, on what is the appropriate age,” Wheeler said. “If you’re able to go to war, why can’t you also be able to exercise your Second Amendment rights equally?”
