On Friday, April 18, 2025, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 924 into law. The newly enacted law lowers the age for owning handguns from 21 to 18.
There’s a nationwide discussion over the age of majority and Iowa thrust themselves into the forefront. Federally, a federal firearms license holder cannot sell a handgun to an adult who’s under the age of 21. Multiple challenges to federal and state laws regulating the possession, purchase, and carry of handguns have been occurring across the nation. States that have enacted bans on adults purchasing certain semi-automatic long guns are also being subjected to litigation.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms applauds the enactment of this new law. They state that “credit should go to Republican Rep. Steven Holt for shepherding the bill through the legislative process.”
“This is a major victory for young adults in Iowa,” said CCRKBA Managing Director Andrew Gottlieb in a statement, “and it could have a future ripple effect which other states can follow. It recognizes that citizens in the 18-to-20-year age group should have full rights, since they can already enlist in the military, get married, start businesses, run for office, sign contracts, buy homes and vote. Why shouldn’t young adults be able to own and carry a sidearm for personal protection?”
The paradox of an adult handgun purchase ban was highlighted by Rep. Holt in his comments to the “Des Moines Register.”
“I joined the Marines when I was 18, I graduated from boot camp when I was 18. I was carrying firearms in the military, ready to defend my country when I was 18, along with hundreds of thousands of other young men and women,” Holt said. “So the idea that an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old, a 20-year-old, doesn’t have a right to own a firearm in protection of their families — which is really what the Second Amendment is about, right?”
“We’re delighted that Gov. Reynolds took this bold move, setting a precedent for her fellow governors to follow,” Gottlieb observed. “It is encouraging to see a state chief executive with this kind of initiative. This is what leadership looks like.
“All good things begin with a first step,” he said, “and Iowa has set a course for others to follow. This is a responsible move by Iowa lawmakers.”
The battle over the age of majority will have to continue in the U.S. until all adults are fully patriated with their Second Amendment rights. Moves like Gov. Reynolds’ are common sense and should be emulated by other public servants.
