Iowa’s strict scrutiny gun law was supposed to be an “insurmountable wall” against any gun regulation. But surprising new court cases show an unexpected divisions among Iowa’s seven Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down fascinating cases from the Des Moines Register that show how Iowa’s 2022 constitutional amendment is playing out in real courtrooms. From a man seeking gun rights restoration after teenage mental health commitment to domestic violence protection orders, we explore when even conservative justices draw the line.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by Zachary Oren Smith and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 – Iowa Supreme Court’s Surprising Gun Law Divisions
01:30 – Strict Scrutiny Explained: Shifting the Burden of Proof
02:30 – Mental Health Commitment vs. Gun Rights Restoration
04:00 – Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Gun Access
05:30 – The Only Unanimous Ruling: Domestic Violence Abuser Case
06:00 – “While Criming” – The Case That Went Viral
07:00 – Iowa’s Hunting Culture and Trap Shooting Teams
09:00 – Racial Bias in Gun Law Enforcement Discussion
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