Tag: Second Amendment

Are Iowa’s Current Gun Laws Constitutional?

Iowa law set out in Iowa Code section 724.8B makes it a separate and distinct criminal offense to possess a firearm while committing an “indictable offense.”  An “indictable offense” in Iowa includes all offenses that are categorized as serious misdemeanors, aggravated misdemeanors or felonies.  They include offenses such as theft, driving while suspended, possession of marijuana, operating while intoxicated and other misdemeanors which are completely unconnected to violence or use of a firearm. Charges under section 724.8B are being filed by law enforcement regardless of whether the individual has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon or is carrying […]

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Three Things to Do After a Self-Defense Incident

If you are involved in a self-defense shooting, then you should do the following (courtesy of the USCCA): Call 911.  Tell the operator you were attacked, feared for your life and had to defend yourself.  Then request both police and an ambulance respond to your location. If you are a member of the USCCA, then call the Critical Response Team at 1-877-677-1919.  The CRT will put you in touch with a pro-2A attorney.  GRL Law’s own Colin Murphy is a qualified member of the Iowa CRT Attorney Network. When the police arrive, comply with all instructions.  Request medical attention, if […]

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Proposed Iowa Constitutional Amendment to Keep and Bear Arms

Did you know that Iowa is one of only six states that does not guarantee a constitutional right to firearms? That is about to change. A legislatively referred constitutional amendment on the ballot next year will add Section 1A to Article 1 of the state’s Constitution: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.  The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right.  Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.  Iowa has a long history of recognizing certain inalienable rights in […]

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Murphy Selected to USCCA Critical Response Team in Iowa

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) recently named GRL Law’s Colin Murphy to its Critical Response Team for the State of Iowa. The USCCA is the nation’s premier organization for firearm education and training.  One of the most valuable benefits of membership is self-defense liability insurance for law abiding gun owners who are involved in self-defense shootings. The automatic insurance benefit provides funds for defense expenses, bail bonds, claims expenses and other damages. The Critical Response Team exists to help USCCA members navigate the confusing aftermath of a self-defense incident.  It is an exclusive community of qualified pro-2A attorneys […]

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Can You Carry a Firearm in Iowa? You might be suprised.

While recent changes to Iowa’s gun laws have been trumpeted and described at times as Constitutional Carry, this is simply not the case.  A closer look into the newly enacted legislation exposes a number of new traps that could catch the unaware citizen. Under Iowa’s new gun laws, a person is prohibited from CARRYING (having a weapon on or about the individual’s person or within immediate reach in a vehicle) a dangerous weapon (which include firearms) under the following circumstances: While possessing a controlled substance. While committing another serious misdemeanor offense, or a greater offense. If addicted to the use […]

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