Iowa residents to vote on adding gun rights amendment to state constitution – Axios

Iowa would have some of the most extensive gun rights guarantees in the nation under a constitutional amendment for voters to decide on Nov. 8.

Why it matters: A "yes" vote would mean all gun restrictions under the Iowa amendment would be subject to "strict scrutiny," the highest legal hurdle for legislation to clear if challenged in court.

Catch up fast: Iowa is one of six states that doesn't recognize Second Amendment rights in its state constitution.

What they're saying: The proposal goes much further than the Second Amendment, placing gun access ahead of safety and potentially blocking policies that limit them in places like school settings, Connie Ryan, executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, tells Axios.

Of note: Amendments like the one proposed in Iowa have only been adopted by three states Alabama, Louisiana, and Missouri and each was approved between eight and 10 years ago according to research published by the Iowa Law Review.

Yes, but: Gun rights advocates have already succeeded via a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that struck down New York's concealed carry law, Richard Rogers, a board member of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, told Axios.

The intrigue: Both sides tell Axios they believe public opinion is generally on their side.

More:
Iowa residents to vote on adding gun rights amendment to state constitution - Axios