The people of Iowa have voted to add a state Constitutional amendment that protects the right to bear arms. Iowa Amendment 1, The Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment, was passed with an overwhelming 65% of the vote.
The amendment states that “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.”
The significance of the amendment’s wording is the “strict scrutiny” distinction. Because the state makes the distinction that any restriction shall be subject to strict scrutiny, it makes it incredibly difficult for the state to pass future legislation that restricts the right to own and carry a firearm. When any future gun restrictions attempt to get passed, it will have to be proven that there is a strict need for that specific restriction.
“Strict scrutiny is the highest level of legal protection for a constitutional right. This level of protection is reserved for rights that are deemed “fundamental” (e.g. free speech and right to vote). For decades, anti-gun judges and lawyers have fought tirelessly against application of “strict scrutiny” to our fundamental Second Amendment rights. By requiring courts to apply strict scrutiny in all challenges under the proposed amendment, the right to keep and bear arms will be given the highest level of protection possible in the Hawkeye State.”
NRA Institute for Legislative Action
Prior to the passing of this amendment, Iowa was one of only six states that don’t explicitly have an amendment in their state Constitution to keep and bear arms. The remaining states are California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Minnesota.
