On Friday, April 26, the Iowa General Assembly adjourned for the 2008 legislative session. Unfortunately, with this being an election year, legislators chose not to move forward on two important pro-Second Amendment and hunting-related bills. 

After being co-sponsored by over 40 legislators and passed by the House Public Safety Committee by a vote of 18-3, House File 2613 failed to pass this year after being held in the House Ways & Means Committee.  HF2613 sought to modify Iowa's concealed handgun law to make Iowa a “shall-issue” state.  During the final day of session, State Representative Clel Baudler (R-58) brought HF 2613 forward as an amendment to the final bill which was defeated after being voted “non-germane” on the House floor.  

House File 2440 would have required an officer of the Department of Natural Resources to issue a certificate of completion of the hunter safety and ethics education course for members of the armed forces on active duty or who served in the armed forces at anytime so long as they were discharged under honorable conditions, are non-ambulatory, and are accompanied by a person who is at least 18.  HF 2440 failed to pass after it was held in the Senate Natural Resource Committee.  

A pro-hunting bill, Senate File 2230, passed the General Assembly this year and was signed by Governor Chet Culver (D) on Tuesday, April 8.  This legislation authorizes the issuance of nonresident turkey and deer hunting licenses to people with physical disabilities or a terminal illness.  The person is not required to complete the hunter safety and ethics education course if a person 18 years of age or older with a hunting license is accompanying the person.  

Please feel free to contact the NRA Political Victory Fund to see where candidates in the upcoming election stand on Second Amendment and hunting issues as we continue to keep Iowa’s proud firearm and hunting heritage safe for generations to come.  For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org.