Community members gathered to learn more about an amendment about gun laws set to appear on the ballot in November.

The public meeting was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County at the Ames Public Library. John Klaus, chair of the League of Women Voters and former Ames city attorney presented “What is Iowa’s Gun Amendment? It is not the U.S. Second Amendment!”

The ballot will include the following:

Shall the following amendment to the Constitution be adopted?

Summary: Provides that the right of the people of Iowa to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes the right to keep and bear arms as a fundamental right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.

Full Text: Article I of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section: Right to keep and bear arms. Sec. 1A. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.

To pass, greater than 50 percent of voters must vote “yes.”

Klaus’ presentation compared the potential amendment to the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment, provided historical and legal context and examined the impact on public safety followed by a Q&A.

Carolyn Klaus, president of the League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County, said the organization stands in opposition to the amendment.

“We are advocates of public safety, and we feel like we need to continue to have public safety with guns,” said Carolyn Klaus. “That’s why the League took a position of vote ‘no’ on this amendment.”

Iowa is currently one of six states that do not include the right to bear arms in its constitution. If the amendment were to pass, Iowa would join Alabama, Louisiana and Missouri as the only states to impose “strict scrutiny” against restrictions to the right to keep and bear arms. Strict scrutiny is the highest form of judicial review.

The right to keep and bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution. However, some states have been independently protecting the right since before the U.S. Constitution.

John Klaus’ presentation was primarily against the amendment.

“Gun ownership is an American tradition, but it has always been attended by moderation and restraint and regulations,” John Klaus said.

One attendee asked, “when will it stop?” in response to the escalation to the capabilities of guns and the firepower which they can be manufactured with. John Klaus attributes some Americans’ support for more powerful guns to a feeling of romance with the history of America.

“I don’t think it’s realistic to think that we will be able to fight a standing army with the same effectiveness as the colonials did in the 18th century,” said John Klaus. “I think it’s a romantic notion that probably maintains the spirits of a lot of people, but it’s very dangerous and very reckless.”

The League of Women Voters decided to advocate publicly against the passing of this amendment.

“Our main function is to make sure people are educated and women get out to vote,” said Carolyn Klaus. “We educate on all kinds of issues.”