Silencers (and more) for Iowans

Legislation from last year has been updated and introduced into the Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee. Adding silencers to the definition of  "offensive weapons" here in Iowa.

HF 384 defines offensive weapons as: machine guns, short barreled rifles and shotguns and now silencers\noise suppressors.

From the bill: 

724.2 Authority to possess offensive weapons.

All of the following are authorized to possess offensive weapons:  

1. The following persons or entities when the duties or lawful activities of the person or entity require or permit such possession:

            a. Any peace officer.

b. Any member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard.

c. Any person in the service of the United States.

d. A correctional officer, serving in an institution under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.

e. Any person who, under the laws of this state and the United States, is lawfully engaged in the business of supplying those authorized to possess such devices.

f. Any person, firm, or corporation who under the laws of this state and the United States is lawfully engaged in the improvement, invention, or manufacture of firearms.

g. Any museum or similar place which possesses, solely as relics, offensive weapons which are rendered permanently unfit for use.

2. The following persons who possess an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44 and the federal National Firearms Act of 1934, 26 U.S.C. ch. 53:

a. A resident of this state, if the offensive weapon has been permanently rendered unfit for the firing of live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.

b. A nonresident, if the offensive weapon is legally possessed by the person in the person’s state of residence and the offensive weapon is at all times while in this state rendered incapable of firing live ammunition. A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon under this paragraph while in this state shall not have in the person’s possession live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.

3. A person who possesses a device described in section 724.1, subsection 8, or a machine gun, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun, as those terms are defined in section 724.1, in compliance with the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44 and the federal National Firearms Act of 1934, 26 U.S.C. ch. 53. 

The way I read this, is that it removes state restrictions and defers to federal laws. 

More bills have been introduced and we will be keeping a eye on the golden-domed cesspool in Des Moines.