A proposed amendment to Iowa's constitution to add gun rights cleared its first hurdle Monday.
The House approved an amendment that would add the same language that appears in the 2nd amendment to the US constitution to Iowa's document.
The amendment also tells the court system in Iowa along with future legislators that any restrictions on those rights that are passed must receive "strict scrutiny" by the courts when deeming whether they are constitutional.
Democrats tried to change the measure into an amendment for basic health care rights, right to education and others. All failed.
The measure was passed largely by Republicans and sent to the Iowa Senate. They must pass it this year, it must clear the Iowa Senate and House next session and be approved by voters before it can be added to the state constitution.