The Iowa chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed HF 2502, punitive preemption legislation that will subject local elected officials to harsh punishments for taking action on gun violence and effectively force local government buildings to allow people to carry guns.
“Once again, Iowa Republicans have put gun lobby priorities ahead of our safety,” said Traci Kennedy, volunteer with the Iowa chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Iowans are demanding action to save lives from the gun violence that continues to plague our communities. Well, come November, we’re going to elect a state legislature that will listen to the people and send common-sense gun safety to the Governor’s desk.”
“People in Iowa are demanding to be heard – demanding our leaders to act on gun violence and help us through the pandemic. Instead, Republican legislators weakened our gun laws and made it harder to vote,” said Grace Johnson, a volunteer leader with Students Demand Action at Iowa State University. “Now, we will turn our grassroots power towards registering thousands of young voters and mobilizing Iowans to elect gun sense candidates up and down the ballot.”
A recent survey from Everytown found that voters in Iowa support stronger gun safety laws by a 3:1 margin and 75 percent of voters consider a candidate’s position on guns “very important” to their vote in 2020. Punitive preemption legislation, on the other hand, is not popular in Iowa. Several cities, counties, and law enforcement associations have opposed this legislation.
This week, Everytown unveiled a new digital ad slamming Iowa Republicans for continuing to block gun safety measures and instead passing extreme legislation that weakens existing gun safety laws. The latest ad buy is the first investment marking Everytown’s commitment to holding Iowa state Republicans accountable at the ballot box this November for failing to act on gun safety during the legislative session.
Iowa Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Statement on Governor Reynolds’ Signing of Bill that Weakens Gun Safety
June 26, 2020
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