Proposed amendment to Iowa constitution would tie judges’ hands on gun laws

I am writing in hopes of providing clarity to the article “These Iowa counties voted to become 'Second Amendment sanctuaries’” (Des Moines Register, July 19). The article mentioned “Next year, Iowans will vote on whether to add the right to keep and bear arms to the Iowa Constitution.”

What Iowans will be voting on is NOT affirming the Second Amendment. It is much more extreme and would hinder any efforts for common sense gun laws focused on safety. How is this the case? Four simple words “subject to strict scrutiny” have been added to the proposed amendment.

I am not a constitutional lawyer, but I have learned that adding these simple words changes everything. These words could take away the right of business owners and homeowners who don’t want someone with a gun entering their place of business or their home, at least not with the gun. It can also result in guns in the hands of convicted felons, perpetrators of domestic violence, the mentally ill; it would tie the hands of judges from doing the right thing for Iowans. I will be voting NO next year.

Stacy Van Zante

Iowa City