Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Signs Law Lowering Handgun Age To 18

Iowans 18 and older may now own and carry handguns, as Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on April 18, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18. The move follows decisions ruling against the federal handgun age limit in states such as New Orleans, Virginia, and Minnesota.

House File 924 goes into effect on July 1. Before the signing, the bill cleared the state Senate by a vote of 33-14 on April 7, almost completely along party lines. Representative Steven Holt, who serves as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, sponsored the bill, concerned that young Iowans between the ages of 18 and 20 who live and raise families in the state be able to exercise their right to protect themselves and their loved ones.

"I joined the Marines when I was 18, I graduated from boot camp when I was 18. I was carrying firearms in the military, ready to defend my country when I was 18, along with hundreds of thousands of other young men and women… So the idea that an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old, a 20-year-old, doesn't have a right to own a firearm in protection of their families — which is really what the Second Amendment is about, right?” says Holt.

Although HF 924 allows Iowans 18 through 20 years old to legally own and carry handguns, they will still be subject to federal restrictions prohibiting them from buying a handgun from a federal firearms licensee (FFL). 2021 Legislation   signed into law by Reynolds previously allowed Iowans 21 years old and older to carry a handgun openly or concealed without any permit necessary.

HF 924 also adds provisions to prevent minors from acquiring handguns, making it a serious misdemeanor for anyone 18 or older to make a pistol, revolver, or ammunition available to a minor unless they are the child’s adult parent or guardian. In those cases, they could allow the minor access under direct supervision or during lessons with an instructor. Lastly, parents and guardians will shoulder the liability for any damage resulting from a minor in possession who is 14 years of age or younger.

This situation is a great example of how those who live in less restrictive states still feel the Second Amendment bottleneck. That being said, the Department of Justice continues to signal a new leaf when it comes to the Second Amendment, and with the NFA and GCA being major hurdles, American gun owners, of which the numbers are vast, are keeping a watchful eye on the debate to see how much really changes.