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Iowa House panel OKs bill over gun rights in emergency

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some House lawmakers have advanced legislation that would reinforce Iowa gun owners' access to weapons during times of emergency in the state.

A divided three-member panel from the House Judiciary Committee approved the bill Thursday, and it now heads to the full committee. It needs approval there before a full House vote.

The bill would specify that neither the governor nor state officials can prohibit or curtail lawful gun possession during a public disorder or disaster emergency proclamation. Current law allows state officials to do so, though critics of the bill say such a situation would be rare. They called the bill unnecessary.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Missouri Valley Republican, says the bill protects Second Amendment rights. He has introduced several bills this session that focus on expanding gun rights.

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