Chuck Grassley calls for 'red flag' laws while speaking at fundraiser held at a shooting range

Stephen Gruber-Miller
The Des Moines Register

Speaking Monday night at a fundraiser held at a shooting range, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called for gun owners to advocate for "red flag" laws to stop people from buying guns if they are determined to be a threat to the public.

At the event, Grassley began his remarks by leading the group in a silent prayer for the victims of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that killed and wounded dozens over the weekend.

"Tonight, I'm calling on law-abiding gun owners to lead the charge in the effort to keep dangerous individuals from purchasing guns and to expand access to mental health resources," Grassley said, according to his prepared remarks.

He spoke at the "7th Annual Sweet Freedom Celebration & Gunshoot" fundraiser for Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, held at Crawford County Shooting Sports. The event's Facebook page said its theme is "'Celebrating & Protecting Our Precious Liberties,' which include the right to life, the right to keep & bear arms, and the right to live without excessive government interference."

Holt said on Facebook that he would not cancel the event. 

"It is not about the gun. It is about the character of the person holding it. My event will go on as scheduled," he said.

According to his remarks, Grassley said to those who showed up: "Many here tonight are gun owners. I’ve been a strong defender of Second Amendment rights my entire time in Congress. I know you’re as horrified by these shootings as anyone else."

Grassley acknowledged "mistrust between gun rights advocates and gun control advocates that's led to a stalemate" in Congress, but said one area of agreement is that "we as a society must be better equipped to recognize the warning signs that almost always precede tragedies like the ones over the weekend."

President Donald Trump on Monday morning suggested that one way to address mass shootings is through so-called red flag laws, which would allow family members or law enforcement to limit a person's access to firearms if they are deemed a potential threat to the public.

Grassley said he is receptive to such laws and would work with Republicans and Democrats to pass legislation that will keep communities safer while protecting due process and Second Amendment rights. He also echoed Trump's call to improve mental health resources.

Ahead of the fundraiser, the liberal advocacy group Progress Iowa called for the event to be canceled due to the mass shootings.

"It is unconscionable for Holt and Grassley to participate in an event like this in the wake of this weekend’s horrific tragedies," said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa.

Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison

When one person commented on Holt's Facebook page Sunday to suggest he cancel his fundraiser given the timing, Holt said the event would happen as scheduled.

"I could not disagree with you more," Holt wrote on Facebook. "It is the loss of our value system brought about in part by idiotic far-left ideology that forced Biblical values from our schools, the media and the public square that brought our nation to this point."

On Facebook, Holt also wrote that "Mental deviants have killed innocent people in El Paso and Dayton. Firearms were used with evil intent to take innocent lives, and firearms were used by those of good moral character to stop it."

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and victims of these vile acts, along with my deepest gratitude to those heroic first responders who bravely ended the carnage," he added.

Holt did not respond Monday to a phone message seeking comment.

K.R. Buck, a former board member of Crawford County Shooting Sports, which is hosting the fundraiser, called the mass shootings a tragedy and said he believes it's time for the country to have a conversation about mental health. But he said he still believes it's appropriate for Holt to hold his fundraiser there.

He said the shooting range, which also includes long gun and pistol ranges, was built in part so middle- and high-school students could participate in clay target shooting sports like trap and skeet. The sports teach students about gun safety and give them an extracurricular activity to participate in, he said.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said nearly 3,900 athletes in Iowa participated in its Scholastic Clay Target Program in 2018.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

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