The school shooting at Perry High School is a heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone in Perry dealing with the aftermath, and across our state that is reeling from this happening so close to home. Our actions will be supportive of those communities as well. Progress Iowa will continue speaking out, and continue to share our research and best practices for delivering a winning message in support of gun violence prevention. We hope the information included here is a helpful resource.
We will share information about how to support the victims and community in Perry on this page in the coming hours and days. There are already vigils planned, here is a list of those events in the Des Moines Register: Vigils planned for Perry community in wake of high school shooting.
MESSAGING
No matter what community we call home, Iowans want safe schools and neighborhoods, and to live free of gun violence. To send our kids to school and live our daily lives without the fear of shootings.
Most of us, including gun owners and police, support common-sense gun laws, like training, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. But across the nation and in our backyards – Ames, Des Moines, and Perry – we have seen too much unnecessary death from guns. Our lives and the lives of those we’ve lost are worthy of common-sense gun safety laws, but the Republican Legislature, Governor Reynolds, and Iowa’s Republican Members of Congress continue to block safety measures that save lives. We are frustrated with politics and sick and tired of empty thoughts and prayers. Unnecessary access to guns increase the threats facing our communities and are devastating our schools, children and state.
We can fight for our right to live free of gun violence and honor those we have lost. It’s long past time our legislators stand up for what is right and pass legislation that keeps kids, educators and families safe.
Progress Iowa has published two message guides about gun violence prevention: We Decide: Freedom from Gun Violence, and We Deserve Safety from Gun Violence. Click here to read additional information about gun safety on Progress Iowa’s website.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our team has drafted social media posts that have proven to be effective when advocating for gun violence prevention. Please share, edit, and use this content to demand change:
We deserve leaders who put our safety before politics. But time and time again the GOP- controlled legislature has weakened gun laws that could prevent tragedies in Iowa. Perry students deserve better. Iowans deserve #GunReformNOW!
I’m tired of seeing Iowa politicians recycle the same response to tragedies that could’ve been prevented. Guns shouldn’t come at the cost of student safety. We need #GunReformNOW!
POLLING
According to recent polling, Iowans support common-sense gun safety measures:
67% of Iowans support regulations for carrying firearms, such as limiting concealed carry, requiring permits or background checks, or safety training. Only 24% oppose those regulations.
Source: Public Policy Polling, Nov 7-8, 2022
TRUE: A majority of Iowans and Americans support background checks for gun buyers.
Source: Politifact, March 12, 2021
LATEST / LIVE INFORMATION
These are the news outlets we’re following to receive the latest information about the tragic shooting in Perry:
- Iowa Starting Line: UPDATE: Shooter dead, ‘multiple gunshot victims’ at Perry High School
- NBC News: Iowa school shooting live updates: Active shooter at Perry High School
- KCCI: LIVE UPDATES: What we know about Perry, Iowa, school shooting
IOWA’S MEMBERS OF CONGRESS – WHERE THEY STAND
Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks:
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
- Voted AGAINST H.R. 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Protecting Our Kids Act 2022
- Voted AGAINST The Bipartisan Active Shooter Alert Act 2022
- “Both pieces of legislation [HR 8 & HR 1146] I voted against today would infringe upon the Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners without addressing gun violence or protecting our communities. As a lifelong gun owner, I believe that the Second Amendment is too important to my fellow Iowans to be trampled on in this manner.” [Source: Miller-Meeks Press Release 3/11/21]
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson:
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
- Voted AGAINST H.R. 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Protecting Our Kids Act 2022
- Voted AGAINST The Bipartisan Active Shooter Alert Act 2022
- “Democrats are pushing gun control legislation that would trample on our Second Amendment rights. The bills do nothing to stop the bad guys from illegally purchasing guns – they punish law abiding gun owners. I’ll always stand up for Iowans’ Second Amendment rights in Washington.” [Source: Congressmember Ashley Hinson Facebook 3/8/21]
Congressman Zach Nunn:
- Received an A rating from Gun Owners of America
- Voted to allow Individuals Under the age of 14 to Posses a Handgun 2016
- Voted to weaken Iowa’s Gun Safety Laws & Allow Firearms Into Public Buildings like Courthouses 2020
- While in the Iowa Senate, Zach Nunn sponsored the “Second Amendment Preservation Act” a bill that would fine local governments and law enforcement agencies $50,000 fine if they enforce federal gun regulations. [Source: Iowa Public Radio 1/19/22]
Congressman Randy Feenstra:
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
- Voted AGAINST H.R. 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
- Voted AGAINST the Bipartisan Protecting Our Kids Act 2022
- Voted AGAINST The Bipartisan Active Shooter Alert Act 2022
- Randy is a Constitutional Conservative with a record of delivering results to defend our God-given liberties, like our 2nd Amendment. In the Iowa Senate, Randy supported the largest expansion of 2nd Amendment rights in Iowa history. He supported Iowa’s stand your ground law, co-sponsored the constitutional carry bill and has helped stop the implementation of red flag laws in Iowa. He is 100% opposed to any infringement on our 2nd Amendment rights and that’s why he received an A Rating from the NRA. [Source: CBS2 5/8/20]
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Giffords Iowa Gun Safety Report Card – F
Iowa | Everytown Research & Policy
Kim Reynolds Signs Gun Law After Recent Violence
Iowa House Votes To Legalize Guns On School And College Grounds
Iowa Republicans Continue Push to Loosen Gun Restrictions
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Signs Law Allowing No Permit Carry Purchase Handguns
Feature Image from Iowa Starting Line Twitter
