DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved two gun-rights measures that sparked Democrats to stage a walkout earlier in the day, stalling action for six hours.
One bill would allow people to use deadly force to protect themselves and the other called for writing gun rights protections into the Iowa Constitution. The second measure would have to be approved by another legislative assembly next year and then be referred to voters.
Backers argued for the change in the Constitution, warning judges are eager to limit the rights of gun owners.
Both measures were approved largely along party lines in the GOP-led chamber.
Republicans could have technically debated the bills without Democrats in attendance. The Iowa rules are different than in Wisconsin and Indiana, where similar Democrat walkouts stretched on for weeks.
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