NRA has discovered Iowa

Quiet in Iowa for years, the powerful National Rifle Association is making a major push for gun-rights legislation here - a development that is already triggering heated opposition.

The NRA proposes two bills, one the "shall issue" favored by IowaCarry and another that would prevent businesses from restricting employees from having firearms in their vehicles while at work.

Both proposals put pressure on lawmakers who generally favor restrictions on guns, especially those whose re-election might be in peril in November. In tight districts, a legislative election can pivot on, say, the votes of 100 gun owners.

Is the Register reporting that legislators favor gun control and they don't want anyone to know that fact?

House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said he thinks his fellow Republicans favor a stronger concealed weapons permit law, such as one proposed by Rep. Kent Sorenson, R-Indianola, that essentially makes permits automatic unless the applicant is a convicted felon.

"I don't think there's any question there's more support for the stronger version," Paulsen said.

That bill is the one supported by Iowa Gun Owners. On why the NRA suddenly discovered Iowa:

Asked why the NRA chose to target Iowa's gun restrictions, Baudler [R-Greenfield, who is one of the NRA's 76 national board members] said: "This year, we decided to be a player here. We feel it's good timing."

This year is going to be interesting for gun-rights in Iowa.

Read more at New push by NRA in Iowa creates firefight