DES MOINES – The Republican-controlled Iowa House on Thursday easily approved a bill that authorizes the possession of firearm silencers.
The bill allows any person, trust, corporation, or other entity to lawfully possess a firearm suppressor if the suppressor is registered and possessed in compliance with federal law and regulations.
Under current law, a mechanical device that silences, muffles, or suppresses the sound of a firearm when fired is defined as an offensive weapon. A person who is not otherwise authorized to possess an offensive weapon is guilty of a class “D” felony.
Representative Sharon Steckman said Thursday that she voted no on the bill and that it was “all about the powerful NRA. I did vote no.”
The Senate will have to agree on the legislation or mediate any changes with the House before the bill goes to Governor Terry Branstad for his signature.
