DES MOINES, IA – A bill aiming to alter the minimum age for acquiring or carrying weapons has moved forward in the Iowa legislature. House Judiciary Committee Bill H.J. 551, introduced on February 27, 2025, has successfully passed through the committee stage, marking a significant step in its legislative journey.
On March 6, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a vote on the bill, resulting in a 17-4 decision in favor of passage. The committee report, documented as H.J. 551, now recommends the bill for further consideration.The bill, titled “A bill for an act relating to the minimum age for acquiring or carrying weapons,” has garnered attention from both proponents and opponents of stricter gun regulations. The full text of the introduced bill is available in HTML format on the Iowa Legislature’s website.
According to legislative records, the bill’s progression includes:

• March 6, 2025: Committee vote resulting in 17 yeas and 4 nays.
• March 6, 2025: Committee report recommending passage.
• March 4, 2025: Subcommittee recommendation for passage.
• February 27, 2025: Introduction and referral to the Judiciary Committee.
  The House Judiciary Committee, led by sponsors including Representatives Holt, James, and Wheeler, has overseen the bill’s initial review. The roll call vote details the following voting information.
• 17 Yeas
• 4 Nays
• 0 Not Voting
• 0 Absent
  The voting records show the following representatives as members of the committee: Rep. Croken, Ken [D], Rep. Dunwell, Jon [R], Rep. Fett, Samantha [R], Rep. Gustoff, Bill [R], Rep. Holt, Steven [R], Rep. James, Lindsay [D], Rep. Lawler, Judd [R], Rep. Lohse, Brian K. [R], Rep. Meyer, Brian J. [D], Rep. Nordman, Carter [R], Rep. Olson, Rick L. [D], Rep. Shipley, Jeff J. [R], Rep. Srinivas, Megan L. [D], Rep. Stone, Henry [R], Rep. Thompson, Mark [R], Rep. Thomson, Charley [R], Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell, Beth [D], Rep. Wheeler, Skyler [R], Rep. Wilburn, Ross “Bill” [D], Rep. Williams, Craig Steven [R], Rep. Wills, John H. [R]. At this time the individual votes of each representitive is not available.
  The bill is now approximately 25% through the legislative process. Further updates will follow as the bill moves through the Iowa House.
  For more detailed information, including the full bill text and voting records, visit the Iowa Legislature’s website.