"We want to make sure we turn power back to parents, allow them to make the decision if their children are ready or not. If they don't want to shoot or teach them gun safety that's also their choice," Jake Highfill who proposed the bill, told local station KCCI.
The bill passed the House on Tuesday, 62-36, and will now move to the Senate.
"What this bill does, the bill before us, allows for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds to operate handguns. We do not need a militia of toddlers. We do not have handguns that I am aware of that fit the hands of a 1- or 2-year-old," Democratic Representative Kirstin Running-Marquardt stated.
A petition by Iowans for gun safety had collected 591 signatures on Friday, and the group has been urging supporters to call their representatives and voice their opposition to the bill, which they acknowledge will allow children easy access to weapons.
“The NRA and Representative Matt Windschitl want to allow children of any age to use handguns with adult supervision. Children under 14 are not developmentally capable of handling lethal weapons. Please oppose any law that makes it easier for children to have access to guns,” their petition states.
The group was expecting the bill to pass the House, but does not expect it to pass the Senate.
