In an effort to protect victims of domestic violence, the Iowa House today approved a bill to prevent persons who are the subject of a protective order or convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun.

“It’s essential that we do all we can to support and protect victims of domestic violence.  Keeping guns out of the hands of violent abusers is one reasonable step we can take to improve public safety and slow the cycle of domestic violence,” said State Representative Deb Berry of Waterloo, who won approval of the bill.

Senate File 2357, which was requested by Iowa judges and law enforcement officials, puts federal law into the Iowa code wince most domestic violence cases are settled in the Iowa court system. Currently, Iowa courts cannot enforce the fedral law prohibiting persons who are subject of a protective order or convicted of domestic abuse from owning guns.

The bill now heads to the Governor.