Print
House File 179 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to firearms requirements for hunting deer.
2BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 455A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 7. For purposes of adopting rules, the
4commission shall define and categorize firearms in a manner
5fully consistent with the definitions established in 18 U.S.C.
6§921 and 27 C.F.R. §478.11.
7 Sec. 2. Section 481A.48, subsection 5, Code 2019, is amended
8to read as follows:
95. The commission shall establish one or more pistol or
10revolver seasons for hunting deer as separate firearm seasons
11or to coincide with one or more other firearm deer hunting
12seasons. Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length of at
13least four inches and firing a magnum three hundred fifty-seven
14thousandths of one inch caliber or larger, centerfire, straight
15wall ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet is legal
16for hunting deer during the pistol or revolver seasons. The
17commission shall adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or
18revolvers for hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols
19or revolvers with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications.
20The barrel length of a pistol or revolver used for deer hunting
21shall be at least four inches. The rules may limit types of
22ammunition. A person who is sixteen twenty years of age or
23less shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver unless that
24person is accompanied and under direct supervision throughout
25the hunt by a responsible person with a valid hunting license
26who is at least twenty-one years of age, with the consent of a
27parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least twenty-one years
28of age, pursuant to section 724.22, subsection 5. A person
29possessing a prohibited pistol or revolver while hunting deer
30commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B, subsection
313, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (5).
32EXPLANATION
33The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
34the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
35Current law requires the natural resource commission to
-1-1establish rules that prohibit the use of pistols and revolvers
2with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications when hunting
3deer. Current law also prohibits a person under the age of 16
4from hunting deer with a pistol or revolver.
5This bill requires the commission to define and categorize
6firearms to be consistent with federal definitions. The bill
7also allows a person 20 years of age or less to hunt using a
8pistol or revolver if the person is under direct supervision of
9a person who is at least 21 years of age with a valid hunting
10license, and has consent from a parent, guardian, or spouse who
11is at least 21 years of age.
-2-js/rn
2BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 455A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 7. For purposes of adopting rules, the
4commission shall define and categorize firearms in a manner
5fully consistent with the definitions established in 18 U.S.C.
6§921 and 27 C.F.R. §478.11.
7 Sec. 2. Section 481A.48, subsection 5, Code 2019, is amended
8to read as follows:
95. The commission shall establish one or more pistol or
10revolver seasons for hunting deer as separate firearm seasons
11or to coincide with one or more other firearm deer hunting
12seasons. Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length of at
13least four inches and firing a magnum three hundred fifty-seven
14thousandths of one inch caliber or larger, centerfire, straight
15wall ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet is legal
16for hunting deer during the pistol or revolver seasons. The
17commission shall adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or
18revolvers for hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols
19or revolvers with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications.
20The barrel length of a pistol or revolver used for deer hunting
21shall be at least four inches. The rules may limit types of
22ammunition. A person who is sixteen twenty years of age or
23less shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver unless that
24person is accompanied and under direct supervision throughout
25the hunt by a responsible person with a valid hunting license
26who is at least twenty-one years of age, with the consent of a
27parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least twenty-one years
28of age, pursuant to section 724.22, subsection 5. A person
29possessing a prohibited pistol or revolver while hunting deer
30commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B, subsection
313, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (5).
32EXPLANATION
33The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
34the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
35Current law requires the natural resource commission to
-1-1establish rules that prohibit the use of pistols and revolvers
2with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications when hunting
3deer. Current law also prohibits a person under the age of 16
4from hunting deer with a pistol or revolver.
5This bill requires the commission to define and categorize
6firearms to be consistent with federal definitions. The bill
7also allows a person 20 years of age or less to hunt using a
8pistol or revolver if the person is under direct supervision of
9a person who is at least 21 years of age with a valid hunting
10license, and has consent from a parent, guardian, or spouse who
11is at least 21 years of age.
-2-js/rn