Passing this on from Iowans for Gun Safety. Please take action and don’t forget to like and share. Thank you.  [Bolding in the text was added by BFIA].

A Call to Action!

SF 543, the Omnibus Gun Bill, will almost certainly be taken up by the next legislative session that starts on January 8. It was passed by the House and now needs to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to go to the Senate for a vote.

There are some elements in the bill that insurance companies and their insured clients (public and private schools, school boards, the Board of Regents) find troubling. For example, the bill would allow guns to be stored in cars on the grounds of schools and other public buildings, and in school vehicles carrying students if the school has a policy of allowing staff to carry guns. (School districts in Spirit Lake and Cherokee have these policies.)

Insurers would be prohibited from refusing to insure school districts based on the district’s policy to allow armed school staff. Community colleges and the three Iowa Regent universities could not adopt policies that stop people from carrying or keeping guns in a locked personal vehicle on the school’s grounds, as long as the weapon is not visible from outside the vehicle. The bill includes a provision for mandatory gun safety education from kindergarten to 12th grade based on National Rifle Association curriculum and materials. (NRA is the largest gun industry lobbying organization in the US.)

We think any of these provisions should be enough to derail this bill, but the majority party may well proceed full steam ahead unless citizens speak up. Between now and January 8, the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee members need to hear from many Iowans expressing their negative opinion about the Omnibus Gun Bill, SF 543. Their names and contact information are here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=90&groupID=697

There are 18 members. If you can’t phone or email all of them, the top three are the most influential members. If you know any of the members personally, they should also be contacted. Your message can be simple- “Please don’t advance the Omnibus Gun Bill, SF 543. I especially object to … (and here state your main objection, whatever it is- guns on school property, NRA curriculums in our schools, whatever it is.)” Always include your name, address, phone or email, and a request for a response.

Then, please contact your own state senator, regardless of party, with a similar message.

We think this will move fast through the Senate, so it’s important that you act now. I’m happy to hear your comments and answer your questions on this and related topics.

This email is also a request to support us with your donation here: Join – Iowans for Gun Safety. But given the challenges that lie ahead, your most important contribution is your willingness to speak out, especially during this busy holiday season. Thanks!

Art Roche
Chair, Iowans for Gun Safety
http://www.IowansForGunSafety.org

515-318-7685
Iowans For Gun Safety