Understanding the Proposed ‘Right to Firearms’ Amendment

The League of Women Voters of Johnson County will host a virtual program, "Understanding the Proposed ‘Right to Firearms’ Amendment,” on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. This final program, in a series planned by the LWVJC Education Committee for spring 2022, will address the proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution that will appear on the ballot in November.

Long-time gun violence prevention advocate and activist, Temple Hiatt will address the proposed amendment. She is a veteran of the first Gulf War and a member of the Iowa City community for over 40 years. Temple’s personal experience of gun suicide by a family member informs her understanding of the sensible steps that we can take to prevent gun violence.

The public may register for the Zoom Webinar in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pllYxw5KTpOlBfxhn_V-oQ. After registering, a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar will be sent.

The proposed language of the constitutional amendment reads: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”

It is vital that voters understand the meaning of strict scrutiny and the implications now and in the future for sensible gun laws in our state. If a majority of Iowans vote in favor of the proposed amendment in November, it will be added to the state constitution. The Legislature passed the Keep and Bear Arms amendment in both 2018 and 2019, but a bureaucratic error prevented the proposal from appearing on ballots in 2020. In order to amend the state constitution, a proposal must be approved by both chambers in two consecutive general assemblies.

The program will offer historical data about gun violence in Iowa, a reading of the actual amendment and legal ramifications, and information about the consequences of similar amendments passed in other states.

If a majority of Iowans vote in favor of the amendment in 2022, it will be added to the state constitution. The Legislature passed the Keep and Bear Arms amendment in both 2018 and 2019, but a bureaucratic error prevented the proposal from appearing on ballots in 2020. In order to amend the state constitution, a proposal must be approved by both chambers in two consecutive general assemblies.

LWVJC Education Committee chair Barb Stein will introduce the program. League members Gaylen Wobeter and Anne Spencer will moderate the online discussion.

Iowa City's City Channel 4 will live stream the presentation on the League’s Facebook page, and website, lwvjc.org, and the City Channel 4 YouTube channel. Rebroadcasts of the presentation will be offered on City Channel 4 on Mediacom cable, as well as on their website at citychannel4.com. Check their website for program schedules.

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters Johnson County is a nonpartisan political organization that is dedicated to keeping an informed electorate through advocacy and education via community events. The local League is a member of the National League of Women Voters, consisting of 50 state Leagues and 803 local chapters, and a member of the Iowa League of Women Voters. The League celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters in 2020-2021.