Bill > HJR4

This Joint Resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, which is the state's foundational legal document, to explicitly state that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This means that the state government cannot violate this right. The resolution further declares this right to be a "fundamental individual right," meaning it is considered essential and deeply important for individuals. Importantly, any proposed laws or regulations that restrict this right would be subject to "strict scrutiny," a very high legal standard that requires the government to show a compelling reason and that the restriction is narrowly tailored to achieve that reason, making it very difficult to pass such restrictions. This proposed amendment, after being approved by two consecutive legislative sessions (the 88th and 89th General Assemblies), will be presented to Iowa voters for their approval or rejection at the general election in November 2022.