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

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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

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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

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 2696: A bill for an act relating to the expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking, and including penalties.

HF 2696 allows victims of human trafficking to petition courts to expunge criminal records related to offenses committed while they were trafficked. To qualify, petitioners must submit a sworn statement (with penalties for false claims) and may provide official victim documentation (though it's not required). The bill excludes serious crimes like homicide, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and robbery from expungement, and requires that cleared records remain confidential except for law enforcement and firearm background checks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpunges trafficking victims' records for crimes committed under coercion, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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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

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died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2144: A bill for an act relating to the expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking, and including penalties.

HF 2144 allows victims of human trafficking to petition courts to remove criminal records related to offenses committed while they were victims. It requires a sworn statement and official documentation (if available), waives all filing fees, and grants expungement if the court finds the offenses resulted from the victimization. Serious crimes like homicide, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and robbery are excluded from eligibility. Once granted, expunged records become confidential but remain accessible to law enforcement and for firearm background checks. This applies to records from arrests or charges, regardless of case outcome.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement for human trafficking victims to reduce barriers to rehabilitation and recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Human Trafficking

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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

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SF 2122: A bill for an act relating to the creation of an extreme risk protective order against a person in possession of a firearm who presents a significant danger to the person’s self or others, and providing penalties.

This bill creates "extreme risk protective orders" allowing family members, intimate partners, or police to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals posing an immediate danger to themselves or others. Petitions require specific evidence of danger (supported by an affidavit) and must detail the firearms involved, with all filing fees waived. Law enforcement can serve these orders during routine stops using a simplified "short-form notification" process, requiring immediate firearm surrender. The order is temporary and requires a court hearing within a short timeframe to determine its continuation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates extreme risk protective orders to prevent firearm violence, advancing criminal justice reform through proactive harm prevention and public safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SF 2098: A bill for an act relating to firearms, including background checks for acquiring pistols or revolvers, identification markings on firearms and firearm parts, trigger locks, extreme risk protective orders, mental health funding, certain firearm transfers, and certain related crimes, and providing penalties.

This bill, Iowa's "Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman Firearm Regulation Act," requires background checks for pistol and revolver purchases from any seller (not just dealers), prohibits sales to those under 21, and mandates unique serial numbers for homemade firearms by December 2026. It also requires identification markings on all firearms and unfinished frames/receivers, prohibits altering or removing these marks, and includes provisions for extreme risk protective orders and mental health funding. The law directly affects firearm manufacturers, sellers, and buyers by adding new registration and marking requirements for homemade weapons and tightening background check processes for pistols. Key mechanisms include the new serial number system for homemade firearms, age restrictions on pistol purchases, and penalties for tampering with identification marks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncludes extreme risk protective orders (ERPOs) and mental health funding, key criminal justice reform elements targeting gun violence prevention.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes mental health funding provisions as part of firearm regulation measures, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Mental Health

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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

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