HF 716 (LSB 1881HV (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 716

BY  COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 179)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to firearms requirements for hunting deer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 455A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  For purposes of adopting rules, the commission shall define and categorize firearms in a manner fully consistent with the definitions established in 18 U.S.C. §921 and 27 C.F.R. §478.11.
    Sec. 2.  Section 481A.48, subsections 5 and 6, Code 2019, are amended to read as follows:
   5.  The commission shall establish one or more pistol or revolver seasons for hunting deer as separate firearm seasons or to coincide with one or more other firearm deer hunting seasons. Any pistol or revolver firing a magnum three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of one inch caliber or larger, centerfire, straight wall ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet with a barrel length of at least four inches and firing straight wall or other centerfire ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet with a maximum diameter of no less than three hundred fifty thousandths of one inch and no larger than five hundred thousandths of one inch and with a published or calculated muzzle energy of five hundred foot pounds or higher is legal for hunting deer during the pistol or revolver seasons. The commission shall adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or revolvers for hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols or revolvers with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications. The barrel length of a pistol or revolver used for deer hunting shall be at least four inches. The rules may limit types of ammunition projectiles. A person who is sixteen twenty years of age or less shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver unless that person is accompanied and under direct supervision throughout the hunt by a responsible person with a valid hunting license who is at least twenty-one years of age, with the consent of a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least twenty-one years of age, pursuant to section 724.22, subsection 5. A person possessing a prohibited pistol or revolver while hunting deer commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (5).
   6.  The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A allowing the use of straight wall cartridge rifles to hunt deer as follows:
   a.  A straight wall cartridge rifle may be used to hunt deer during youth and disabled deer hunting season and first and second shotgun deer hunting seasons by a person who has a valid deer hunting license and is otherwise qualified to hunt.
   b.  A straight wall cartridge rifle that is allowed pursuant to this subsection shall be of the same caliber and use the same straight wall or other ammunition as is allowed for use in a pistol or revolver for hunting deer as provided in subsection 5. In addition, the commission shall provide, by rule, for the use of straight wall or other ammunition under this subsection that meets ballistics specifications similar to the requirements for straight wall or other ammunition allowed for use in a pistol or revolver for hunting deer as provided in subsection 5.
   c.  A person possessing a prohibited rifle while hunting deer commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (6). In addition, the hunting privileges of a person convicted of possessing a prohibited rifle while hunting deer shall be suspended for two years.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Current law requires the natural resource commission to establish rules that prohibit the use of pistols and revolvers with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications when hunting deer. Current law also prohibits a person under the age of 16 from hunting deer with a pistol or revolver.
   This bill requires the commission to define and categorize firearms to be consistent with federal definitions, and modifies current provisions to reflect consistency with federal definitions. The bill also allows a person 20 years of age or less to hunt using a pistol or revolver if the person is under direct supervision of a person who is at least 21 years of age with a valid hunting license, and has consent from a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 21 years of age.