Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of gun suppressors in Iowa, the Associated Press reported.
House File 2279, a bill introduced by Rep. Matt Windschitl and Rep. Terry Baxter, passed the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee on March 2 by a 46-4 margin and passed the House 78-21. A press release from SilencerCo said Iowa is the 42nd state to legalize suppressors.
“This is something that certainly is commonly used in other parts of the country,” said Branstad, KCCI reported . “I don’t see why Iowa shouldn’t have the same opportunity.”
The victory comes after the American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association and Iowa Firearms Coalition spent three years educating lawmakers on the benefits and realities of suppressors, SilencerCo said. It’s part of the company’s “No State Left Behind” campaign.
“SilencerCo has been a strong supporter of the American Suppressor Association since its inception. We’re proud of the hard work they have put behind HF 2279 along with the help of the NRA and the Iowa Firearms Coalition. Because of the determination and educational push by these groups, Iowans can now enjoy the same rights as are held by law-abiding citizens in 41 other states,” Joshua Waldron, CEO of SilencerCo said in the release.
The press release said the American Suppressor Association will now turn its attention to California, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York, who are some of the only remaining states that do not allow suppressors legally.
