(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa legislature are one step away from putting a proposed gun rights amendment on Iowa’s 2022 ballot. Twenty-nine Senate Republicans have voted to present the proposed constitutional amendment to Iowa voters next year. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, says the part of the amendment that says any gun-related laws challenged in court should be subject to strict scrutiny is important.

Senator Zach Wahls, a Democrat from Coralville, says just three other states have constitutional amendments that go as far as this one.

Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, suggests gun laws that limit kids’ access to guns or that require permits for concealed weapons may be struck down if the amendment passes.

Republican Senator Brad Zahn of Urbandale has this response.

Zaun says the amendment’s needed because it will create a high legal standard to protect gun rights. G-O-P leaders plan to bring this proposed amendment up for a vote in the Iowa House tonight (Thursday). That’s the final step in a multi-year legislative process to get the proposed amendment eligible for a statewide vote in 2022.