Friday, March 1, 2024

Iowa House Passes Students First Safety Act

armed school teacher classroom student beretta apple iStock-kenlh 924246940
armed school teacher classroom student beretta apple iStock-kenlh 924246940

The Iowa Firearms Coalition (IFC) is pleased the Iowa House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to pass the “Students First Safety Act,” HF 2586.

The bill, which allows for specially trained armed staff to carry firearms on school grounds, passed on Wednesday with 61 legislators voting in support of the pro-school safety legislation.

“Allowing for those who love their children enough to protect them is a win for school safety and all of Iowa’s students,” said IFC President Dave Funk. “IFC is grateful to have partnered with lawmakers on moving this bill of critical importance forward and we look forward to working with the Senate and Governor Kim Reynolds to make it law.”

While state and federal law currently allows for Iowa school districts to arm school staff, in practice, insurance companies have denied coverage to districts that have attempted to do this.

Two school districts in northwest Iowa had worked to implement armed staff in 2023 but canceled plans once Des Moines based EMC Insurance notified the districts that their insurance policies would not be renewed if their plans went into effect.

Under this new legislation, school staff and school districts that comply with the training requirements will receive qualified immunity from civil or criminal damages should they need to stop a threat. This language is designed to allow school districts who protect their students the ability to maintain insurance coverage.

“In the wake of the recent act of evil at Perry High School, it’s clear no school district, large or small, is immune from being a target by someone who wishes to commit an act of evil,” said Funk. “The Students First Safety Act will force a would-be attacker to think twice before attempting to harm our kids, and should they still move forward with their plans, they’ll be stopped and lives will be saved.”

IFC is calling on Iowans to contact their state Senator and demand they pass HF 2586 immediately.

The full bill can found here: Iowa Legislature – BillBook


About Iowa Firearms Coalition

The Iowa Firearms Coalition, Iowa’s official NRA State Association, is a 501(c4) nonprofit and is Iowa’s only effective pro-Second Amendment rights organization.



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