Capitol Notebook: Iowa gun rights group calls for allowing guns in locked vehicles at schools

DES MOINES — One of Iowa’s most prominent gun rights advocacy groups rallied at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday to express support for gun ownership rights and encourage state lawmakers to pass a gun regulations bill that stalled in the Iowa Legislature last year.

The rally was organized by the Iowa Firearms Coalition, and concerned in particular House File 654, which would allow gun owners to have a firearm in a locked vehicle on school and college grounds. It also would prohibit insurance companies from refusing to insure Iowa schools that choose to have armed staff on school grounds.

The bill passed the Iowa House last year with only Republican support, but was not considered in the Republican-majority Iowa Senate.

Many of the event’s speakers addressed the Jan. 4 fatal school shooting in Perry and called for more armed officers and armed school staff, who have firearms and active shooter training, to be stationed in schools.

Republican state lawmakers who spoke during the event said they are working on legislation to heighten school security in the wake of the Perry shooting, with details still being developed.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, also a Republican, pledged to continue her work opposing federal gun regulations from Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration.

“I’m very concerned with what’s happening at the federal level with respect to the Second Amendment. … We (gun owners) follow the rules, and we want our rights respected,” Bird told a crowd of roughly 60 people. “I’m not going to let them get away with this overreach. … We aren’t going to let the federal government trample all over your constitutional rights.”

Bill would block HOA flag ban

A homeowner’s association in Iowa would be barred from banning a resident from displaying an American flag on their home under a bill lawmakers advanced in the Iowa Senate.

The bill, Senate Study Bill 3039, was proposed by Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, after he received a complaint from a constituent, he said. A Senate subcommittee unanimously passed the bill.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, said the bill may face constitutional questions if it refers specifically to the American flag, rather than being blanket permission for any flag.

“I’m a free speech guy,” he said. “Let them fly whatever flag they want.”

Quirmbach said he would like to see the bill amended in a committee meeting, where it will head next. If the bill passes out of committee, it would be eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.

Treynor man wins $2 million

A man from Treynor in far southwestern Iowa has claimed a $2 million Powerball prize, while a second multimillion-dollar prize in Iowa remains unclaimed, the Iowa Lottery said.

Danny Buckelew scored a $1 million prize that was doubled because he purchased the Power Play option. Buckelew bought his winning ticket at a Casey’s in Tiffin, which received a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Another $2 million Powerball prize remains unclaimed nearly two months after it was won, the Iowa Lottery said. That winning ticket was purchased at Clinton Liquor in Clinton. The winner has until May 23 to claim the prize at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.