Self-Defense Is Legal in Iowa

And the DA in question moved at light speed to make the determination in this case. No charges in fatal Fort Dodge shooting after self-defense ruling - KCCI

This incident took place on Friday the 24th of July.

According to investigators, the evidence showed Ahrens was actively attacking Byram, who retreated into his own home during the confrontation. Police said Byram then fired a single shot that struck Ahrens.

After the shooting, Byram called 911 to report what had happened.

Fort Dodge, Iowa, is roughly a 90 mile drive north-northwest of Des Moines. It is the county seat of Webster County, Iowa.

Cops not only completed their report in a week, but the DA reviewed the data and made the determination of justified self-defense in under a week. Some DAs will take months, even in the face of video evidence.

Following that review, the county attorney determined Byram's actions were justified under Iowa's self-defense laws. As a result, no criminal charges will be filed.

Darren Driscoll is currently the County Attorney for Webster County, Iowa. Hats off to you sir.

Self-defense is a human right.

Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0

First she got shot, then she was arrested. Des Moines homeowner shoots alleged intruder during late-night break-in

And don't open the door, because crazy people are dangerous.

According to investigators, the homeowner reported hearing someone yelling in the backyard, followed by banging on the back door. When the homeowner unlocked the door, Wilson allegedly forced her way inside and began assaulting the resident.

The homeowner was armed, and shot the intruder. Police, who had already been called, provided first aid, and fire/rescue took her to a local hospital, where her wounds were considered minor.

After being treated and released from the hospital, she was charged with second-degree burglary, a Class C felony.

The homeowner was not arrested because this did not occur in the city of New York.

Self-defense is a human right.

Self-defense Is Legal in Iowa

I suspected that is was. No charges will be filed in May 31 fatal shooting | Messenger News

It can take some DAs many months to make such a finding, even when the facts are clear cut. Two months is fairly quick.

Shortly after 5 a.m. on May 31, Fort Dodge police were dispatched to ... Sixth Ave. S. after the homeowner reported that he had shot a man who was trying to break into his garage. When officers and medics arrived, they found 44-year-old Bryan Gambill unresponsive. Gambill was ultimately pronounced dead.

Fort Dodge is a city in the central portion of Iowa. It is about 70 miles north of Des Moines, and about 100 miles east of Sioux City. It had a population of about 25,000 in 2020.

The Webster County Attorney’s Office reviewed the data provided by Fort Dodge PD, and concluded that the shooting was justifiable self-defense.

High School Student Sues Teacher/District on 1st Amendment Grounds

This is delicious. Iowa student sues over 2A t-shirt suspension. Note: I have not watched the video at that link.

An Iowa high schooler has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that her school district and a civics teacher violated her First Amendment rights by suspending her for wearing a pro-Second Amendment t-shirt to class; a case that could one day have far-reaching implications for students across the country.

In the complaint, which is the topic of today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co, the student (identified by her initials A.B.) alleges that just two days after discussing students’ rights to free speech in class, teacher Thomas Griffin “removed her from class and suspended her” for wearing a t-shirt promoting the Second Amendment, claiming it was “inappropriate”.

The teacher said HE would determine what speech was allowed. Click thru for an image of the shirt in question. (Hat tip to The DaleyGator)

Another Father Protecting His Family

A law-abiding citizen was home with his 10-year-old son when a stranger broke into the home through a basement window. Eastern Iowa Man Shoots, Kills Armed Intruder

The resident of the home fired 3 shots, hitting the intruder twice.

Lyons said an investigation of the shooting is continuing but that evidence supports a conclusion that the resident was justified in using deadly force.

Self defense, and defense of family, is a human-right.

Mother Saves Her Child From Kidnapping

Crazy People are dangerous. How an armed mother fought off child abduction in Des Moines skywalk

A mother drew a gun to drive off two people who were trying to abduct her son in a Des Moines skywalk outside her office, according to police reports.

You can click thru for the details, including how the woman thought she was the child's mother, and that "the boy's real father was Thor." Like I said... crazy people.

So what do folks on the gun-hating Left think a mother should do under these circumstances?

The son is safe, the two crazy people have been arrested, and the police seem to think that everything turned out for the best. I love a story with a happy ending. (Hat tip to Keep and Bear Arms.)

Iowans Approve Constitutional Amendment that Strengthens Gun Rights

I like this. More states should pass this. Iowans overwhelmingly approve constitutional amendment that 'prohibits current and future common-sense gun laws' - Little Village

The amendment approved by voters on Tuesday states: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”

Strict scrutiny is the highest level of judicial review. Strict scrutiny requires a law or regulation be “narrowly tailored” to achieve a “compelling state interest.” Few laws can pass this test. Even as the Republican-appointed justices of the U.S. Supreme Court have dramatically expanded gun rights over the last 14 years, the high court still applies a lower standard, intermediate review, in decisions on Second Amendment issues.

It should make it easier to eliminate local laws around "gun free zones," and other "common sense" safety measures that really offer no safety, and just make life difficult for law-abiding citizens.

It has the gun-hating Left in a fit. (Hat tip to Keep and Bear Arms)

You Might Shoot Someone You Know.

The gun-hating part of the Left says that to convince you that guns are bad. They say that a lot. After all, why would you want to shoot someone you know? Well, you might have good reason to. Consider this case: Iowa woman shoots another woman in self-defense: reports

[Sgt. Paul] Parizek [of Des Moines police] said the relationship between Francis and the alleged shooter is “best described as acquainted with a history of conflict between the two,” the Des Moines Register reported.

You are more likely to have a conflict with someone you know. That certainly was the case a few years back. With exploding street crime everywhere, like carjacking, that may be changing. But people you know do not always have your best interests at heart.

After talking to witnesses and reviewing the evidence, detectives “learned that the shooter in this incident acted in self-defense after being violently assaulted,” the police also reportedly said.

You should click thru for all the details.

I would usually have linked to the original, but I still see a bit of the NYC "self-defense is really a thing?" attitude coming through this story from the NY Post. It seems to puzzle people in Blue States that people can and do defend themselves legally.

As for the gun-hating Left and people you know... People you know include your ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, current girl-friend's ex-boyfriend, the creepy guy from the coffee shop who is always trying to pick you up, and the deranged coworker who has decided that you are his soulmate. Not everyone you know is a good person, with your best interests at heart.

Self-defense is a human-right, and in Iowa it appears to be your legal right.

He Tried to Break Into the Wrong House

And Iowa has not morphed into New Jersey. Adair County homeowner shoots, injures alleged intruder

Authorities say the homeowner woke up to “strange noises” followed by the sound of breaking glass. The homeowner found the suspect trying to climb into his home through a broken window and opened fire, striking the suspect multiple times. The homeowner then called 911.

The miscreant had to be airlifted to a trauma center with multiple gunshot wounds.

There was a stolen car crashed near the residence in question, but the police have not tied the stolen car to the guy who got shot.

Self-defense is a human-right. Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0.

Yet Another Failure of the Victim-selection Process

He apparently thought it would be a good idea to break into an occupied home. Iowa deputies search for burglary suspect shot by homeowner.

Bondurant is in Polk County, Iowa, and the Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

911 got a call about a home invasion before shots were fired.

“Evidence on scene indicates he was probably hit. But we have not located that person yet,” Lt. Ryan Evans said.

Click thru for more info.

Self-defense is a human-right. Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0.

How Should a Woman Defend Her Home from Two Invaders?

If she is barred from using a firearm, what should she do? Two people shot by homeowner, police in Des Moines.

DMPD said that a woman reported that her residence was being robbed. On arrival, officers encountered an armed suspect. They opened fire and struck the suspect.

Officers then learned that a second suspect was shot while exchanging gunfire with the homeowner.

Both would-be bad guys were taken to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

Self-defense is a human-right. Good Guys 2, Bad Guys 0.

Good Guy With a Gun Stops a Bad Guy With a Gun

That thing that the Gun-hating Left says never happens. Des Moines police say resident shot intruder in self-defense.

Or how would you respond to an armed intruder in your home at 12:30 AM? You can also file this under Another Failure of the Victim-selection Process.

Police say the intruder assaulted and threatened residents inside the apartment before he was shot by one of the residents. Investigators say the intruder fled the scene and later showed up with a bullet wound at an emergency room. He is expected to recover.

The guy who got shot showed up at a local hosptial for treatment. Police have not announced any arrests, but I think he likely will be, once the doctors are finished with him.

Self-defense is a human-right. Good Guys 1, Bad Guys 0.

How Should a 73-year-old Defend Himself from a 41-year-old?

If not with the use of a firearm, that is. Retired Urbandale police officer shot man in self defense, Polk County Attorney says

A subsequent investigation revealed that Dwight Taylor, 73, had shot Lamp in self defense. Taylor and Lamp, who were acquaintances, had been drinking when a fight broke out. Police said that Lamp assaulted Taylor and grabbed him by the throat. Lamp then refused to leave when asked to do so, and during a second struggle Taylor shot Lamp.

They make much of the fact that he was a retired cop. But any 73-year-old could find himself in the same situation.

Both men were injured in the fight and taken to a local hospital.

Self-defense is a human-right.

He Suffered a Failure of the Victim-selection Process

He thought it would be a good idea to break into an occupied home. Wapello County sheriff: Homeowner shot, killed man who broke into home

The suspect, who has not yet been identified, forcibly entered the home and was shot inside the residence, the release said. He was transported by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics where he later died.

The investigation continues, but self-defense is a human-right.

Self-defense Is Legal in Iowa

You think it should be, but you can't be certain about some things. Palo man cleared of wrongdoing in deadly home invasion shooting

[Linn County Attorney Jerry] Vander Sanden says the facts do not support criminal charges against Schulte. He says Iowa law presumes a person is acting reasonably when they use deadly force on someone who has forced entry into their home. He says Schulte's actions to protect himself and his family were reasonable and justified under the law.

It still took two months for the Prosecutor to make that determination. It could be that the case was complicated, though it doesn't appear so from the synopsis of events provided in the article. It could also be that Prosecutors HATE Self-defense.

Self-defense is a human right, and in Iowa it might be your legal right.