DES MOINES, Iowa (April 6, 2021) – Last Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a “Constitutional Carry” bill into law, making it legal for Iowans to carry a firearm without a permit and fostering an environment more hostile to federal gun control.
The House Public Safety Committee introduced House Bill 756 (HF756) on March 5. The new law eliminates the permit requirement for carrying handguns in the state. It also loosens some restrictions on the possession and transfer of firearms. The state will continue to issue concealed carry permits under a revamped system for those wishing to have a CCDW license in order to carry in states with reciprocity with Iowa.
On March 22, the Senate passed HF756 by a 31-17 vote. The House previously approved the measure 60-37. With Gov. Reynolds’ signature, the new law will go into effect July 1, 2021.
“Today I signed legislation protecting the Second Amendment rights of Iowa’s law-abiding citizens while still preventing the sale of firearms to criminals and other dangerous individuals,” Reynolds said in a statement Friday afternoon.
EFFECT ON FEDERAL GUN CONTROL
While permitless carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, the widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway.
The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions such as passing HF756 would lower barriers for those wanting to the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourages a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
