Iowa stands out as one of the few Midwestern American states—along with Minnesota and Illinois—that prohibit the private use of silencers. That could change if H.F. 384 becomes law in the Hawkeye State. Introduced by Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley) last March, the bill would eliminate the prohibition on private possession and use of these items in Iowa. After being referred to a subcommittee, the bill is now before the full Judiciary Committee of the Iowa House of Representatives.

Rep. Windschitl cites hearing protection and noise abatement as the principal reasons that he introduced the bill. A member of the House subcommittee to which it was originally referred, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames), apparently has real firearms mufflers confused with Hollywood silencers that totally eliminate the report of a firearm.  According to Iowa media accounts, Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell “said suppressor-equipped firearms could make it more difficult for people to find safety during shootings. ‘When they heard the shots at Newton, you had teachers, heroic teachers, pushing kids to safety because they heard the shots.'”