IowaIowa law sets felony penalties for dangerous weapon intimidation
People who fire or threaten to use a dangerous weapon in specified settings may commit a class C or class D felony if others reasonably fear serious injury.
What it does
The law describes two felony levels for firing or threatening to use a dangerous weapon when others reasonably fear serious injury. The class C offense requires intent to injure or provoke fear or anger.
Argument forPeople nearby may be safer when firing or threatening to use a dangerous weapon that causes reasonable fear of serious injury can bring felony penalties.
Argument againstPeople could face a class D felony even when the text does not require proof that they intended to injure or frighten someone.
More detail
The law describes class C and class D felonies for firing or threatening to use a dangerous weapon in specified settings. The provisions cover conduct directed at a person, an occupied building, vehicle, airplane, railroad engine, railroad car, or boat, or within an assembly of people. The class C felony requires intent to injure or provoke fear or anger in another person. The class D felony provision does not state that intent requirement.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Fiscal note.Latest
- Apr 9Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.Became Law
- Apr 9Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 31Explanation of vote.
- Mar 30Explanation of vote.
- Mar 24Explanation of vote.
- Mar 23Message from House.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Immediate message.
- Mar 23Passed House, yeas 90, nays 0.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 23Substituted for HF 2621.
- Mar 19Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
- Mar 2Read first time, passed on file.Minor
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Message from Senate.
- Mar 2Immediate message.
- Mar 2Passed Senate, yeas 44, nays 0.Passed 1st Chamber
- Feb 26Fiscal note.
- Jan 27Committee report, approving bill.Minor
- Jan 27Introduced, placed on calendar.Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety