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Iowa House and Senate approve gun rights amendment to state constitution

The Iowa Senate, then the Iowa House, on Wednesday, approved an amendment to Iowa's constitution dealing with gun rights.

The amendment is the same language the Iowa Legislature passed last year. But a technical snafu put the issue back to square one, meaning the legislature had to pass it this year and in the next legislative session before voters can decide its fate.

The amendment would add language that says "the Right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". But it also contains language ordering courts to use "strict scrutiny" in deciding the constitutionality of any state gun restriction laws.

One Republican legislator, Rep. Andy McKean of Anamosa, said he couldn't support his own party's language because court challenges of current gun restrictions and other battles would be too expensive and require more court challenges due to the "strict scrutiny" requirement.

However, Representative Brian Meyer, said the courts could decide to adopt their own interpretation of "strict scrutiny". He said it could be stricter than the current one.

Democrats tried in the Iowa Senate and House to just add the language of the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution to Iowa's constitution. Republicans pushed back on that request, and the stricter language prevailed in both chambers.

The amendment needs another passage by the Iowa Senate and House and then it must go to a vote.


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