Criminal Justice (Firearms)

died · Iowa · House Mar 24, 2026

HF 2621: A bill for an act relating to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2621 (Iowa) creates two felony classifications for threatening others with a dangerous weapon. A Class C felony (up to 10 years in prison, $1,370-$13,660 fine) applies when someone shoots, throws, or discharges a weapon at another person or in occupied spaces like buildings, vehicles, or assemblies, causing reasonable fear of serious injury. A Class D felony (up to 5 years, $1,025-$10,245 fine) applies to direct threats at individuals without the occupied-space context. The bill specifically removes the prior reference to "assembly of people" as a trigger for the higher penalty, focusing instead on the act of threatening or discharging a weapon. It directly affects individuals who threaten others with weapons in ways that create immediate fear.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for weapon intimidation by creating new felony classifications with longer prison terms and higher fines, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SF 2257: A bill for an act relating to firearm eligibility requirements.

This bill (SF 2257) removes specific ineligibility criteria for firearm permits and transfers in Iowa. It eliminates provisions that previously barred individuals from obtaining permits if they were "addicted to alcohol" or had documented actions within two years suggesting potential unlawful weapon use. The bill also modifies transfer rules by changing "possess" to "carry" in language restricting firearm transfers to ineligible individuals. These changes affect people previously disqualified under those specific criteria, such as those with certain substance abuse histories or documented behavioral concerns. The bill does not create new restrictions but revises existing eligibility rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes disqualifications for firearm permits, weakening restrictions on gun access - a component of criminal justice policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2379: A bill for an act allowing the carrying of weapons on the grounds of a school under certain circumstances.

HF 2379 would amend Iowa law to allow individuals with a valid permit to carry weapons to possess firearms on school grounds under specific conditions. The bill creates a new exception to the current prohibition (which treats carrying weapons on school grounds as a class D felony), permitting permit holders who carry a firearm for a lawful purpose on their person, with the firearm continuously under their control. This directly affects licensed gun permit holders who wish to carry firearms on school property for permitted activities, such as security roles or personal protection during lawful school events. The key change removes the felony charge for these permit holders when meeting the defined conditions of continuous control and lawful purpose.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes felony charge for permit holders carrying on school grounds, weakening existing criminal justice restrictions on firearms in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2718: A bill for an act relating to the seizure of firearms, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2718, the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Iowa state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that orders the seizure of firearms from law-abiding citizens without a violent felony conviction. The bill defines "red flag law" as any federal or state law, order, or measure requiring firearm surrender except for those in custody after violent felony charges. It bans state entities from using federal funds to enforce such laws and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty per violation for agencies employing officers who knowingly enforce them. The act also allows affected individuals to sue for damages, injunctions, and attorney fees, taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans enforcement of red flag laws, restricting law enforcement's ability to seize firearms under such orders, opposing a common criminal justice reform measure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2001: A bill for an act relating to the sale or offer for sale of certain firearm devices, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 2001) restricts the sale or offer for sale of specific firearm devices known as "trigger cranks." A trigger crank is defined as a device attached to a firearm that repeatedly activates the trigger using a circular lever motion, excluding weapons originally designed to fire via crank. Selling such devices is classified as an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail and fines up to $8,540. The bill clarifies and narrows the existing restriction to only apply to these specific devices, not all rapid-fire attachments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor offense for selling trigger cranks, expanding criminalization of firearm accessories and increasing penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 19, 2026

HSB 613: A bill for an act relating to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and making penalties applicable.

This bill creates two new felony offenses for threatening others with dangerous weapons. A Class C felony (up to 10 years in prison) applies when someone shoots, throws, or discharges a weapon at a building, vehicle, or crowd, causing reasonable fear of serious injury. A Class D felony (up to 5 years in prison) covers direct threats at individuals or occupied vehicles/boats. The law specifies that these acts must place people in "reasonable apprehension of serious injury" to qualify as criminal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offenses with mandatory prison sentences for weapon intimidation, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per sentencing indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SSB 1125: A bill for an act relating to the sharing of identifying information of persons prohibited from acquiring a pistol or revolver by court order.

This bill repeals Iowa Code section 724.31A, which required district court clerks to forward to the Department of Public Safety the identifying information of individuals prohibited from purchasing handguns by court order. The repeal removes the existing process for sharing this information with the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It directly affects court clerks, the Department of Public Safety, and the federal background check system by eliminating a mandatory reporting requirement. The bill does not create new restrictions or change who is prohibited from purchasing firearms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals mandatory sharing of prohibited gun purchaser data with NICS, weakening federal background checks and firearm access restrictions in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 4, 2025

HSB 280: A bill for an act relating to weapons, including eligibility-to-carry requirements and terms used, and making penalties applicable.

This bill amends Iowa's weapons laws to clarify eligibility requirements and enforcement. It creates a new ineligibility category (Section 724.8B) for individuals with certain arrests, controlled substance offenses, or ongoing criminal proceedings, prohibiting them from carrying firearms. Key provisions include allowing permit suspensions when applicants are arrested for disqualifying offenses (with automatic reinstatement if no conviction occurs), banning firearm transfers to ineligible persons or intoxicated individuals, and simplifying permit applications to require only basic personal information. Permits to acquire pistols/revolvers are now valid statewide for three days after application (Section 724.20), and applicants must provide basic identification without social security numbers (Section 724.19).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new firearm restrictions for arrests, drug offenses, and pending cases (without conviction), restricting rights and increasing regulatory scope.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 430: A bill for an act relating to the seizure of firearms without the adjudication of a contested court case, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 430, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Iowa state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that seizes firearms from law-abiding citizens without a court trial or violent felony conviction. It blocks enforcement of both federal and state red flag laws within Iowa, bans the use of federal funds for such enforcement, and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty on entities that violate these provisions. The bill directly affects residents who might be targeted by red flag orders, ensuring firearms cannot be seized without due process under state law. It also allows affected individuals to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief if enforcement occurs. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBlocks red flag laws requiring court trials for firearm seizures, weakening due process protections in criminal justice policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2025

HF 55: A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and providing penalties.

HF 55 mandates minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of felonies who possess, receive, or transport firearms or offensive weapons. It sets specific penalties: a first offense requires a minimum two-year prison term (class D felony), a second offense a minimum four years, a third offense a minimum seven years (class C felony), and fourth or subsequent offenses a mandatory ten-year minimum. The bill prohibits courts from delaying sentencing or suspending these mandatory minimums for any violation. This directly affects felons convicted in state or federal courts who knowingly handle firearms or weapons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates strict minimum sentences for felons with firearms, eliminating judicial discretion - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased sentencing and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

Track