(Radio Iowa) – A Republican senator is advancing a bill to give new liability protections to companies that make and sell guns and ammunition. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, says it’s an attempt to end what he calls back door gun control.

The HOUSE Public Safety has approved similar legislation. Senator Schultz and another Republican signed off on the bill early this (Thursday) morning to make it eligible for debate in a senate committee. Richard Rogers of the Iowa Firearms Coalition is urging Republicans in the state legislature to act quickly on the bill. Rogers says the federal law that provides liability protection for the gun industry is endangered.

Rogers says gun shops and manufacturers should not be held liable if someone commits an illegal act with a gun.

Charlotte Eby, a lobbyist for the Giffords Law Center which promotes gun safety legislation, says the bill would shield gun manufacturers and sellers from being sued in Iowa, even if they acted negligently or recklessly.

A lobbyist for the Iowa Association for Justice says lawsuits over negligence are complicated and expensive — and the “loser pays” section in the bill would discourage most gun owners legitimately injured by a defective gun or ammunition from suing.