We had overwhelming bipartisan legislation pass through the Iowa House. It passed on a 95-3 vote yesterday which is rare these days. HF 535 states that gun permit holders names will be kept confidential. A common sense bill which I’m glad both parties can see.
One group that seems like it’s sole purpose is to criticize other 2nd Amendment groups and to send out fundraising letters was called out from the Iowa House floor by State Representative Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley) as reported by the Mason City Globe Gazette:
Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, called out the director of the Iowa Gun Owners for “not lifting a finger” to help pass legislation that keeps the names of firearm permit holders confidential. Aaron Dorr is the director of Iowa Gun Owners which bills itself as “Iowa’s only no compromise gun lobby.”
Windschitl is the sponsor and floor manager of HF 535 which would change the law to keep firearm permit holder names confidential. The bill earned wide bipartisan support in the House, passing 95-3. In his closing comments on the legislation, Windschitl said he saw an email from Dorr’s group taking at least partial credit for getting the bill passed. Windschitl said Dorr did not help move the legislation and instead credited the National Rifle Association, Iowa Firearm Coalition and the Iowa Sheriff’s and Deputies Association among other groups.
Yeah that sounds about their speed. Groups like Iowa Gun Owners and on the pro-life side – Iowa Pro-Life Action are absolutely worthless when it comes to getting any legislation passed. If they say they are accomplishing anything in that regard you can consider that a lie. They have the ear of a small minority of legislators of which I can count on one hand.
Good for State Representative Windschitl for calling him out.
Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson via Flickr (CC-By-NC-ND 2.0)