Last week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced legislation to safeguard the Second Amendment rights of Americans living in rental properties that receive federal financial assistance. The Preserving Rights Of Tenants by Ensuring Compliance To (PROTECT) the Second Amendment Act would prohibit landlords and property managers from restricting tenants’ lawful firearm ownership solely based on their residency in federally supported housing. Feenstra says, “The right of Iowans to keep and bear arms is enshrined in our Constitution and shall not be infringed. These constitutional protections must be strongly defended and certainly do not cease to exist for gun owners living in rental properties. My PROTECT the Second Amendment Act ensures that landlords or rental property managers who receive federal financial assistance at taxpayer expense cannot unlawfully restrict Americans from exercising their constitutional rights. As a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, I will always defend the right of Iowans to keep and bear arms and support law-abiding gun owners.” The legislation affirms tenants’ rights to lawfully possess firearms in their homes, transport them through common areas, and protects against discriminatory restrictions by federally funded landlords. The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action voiced its support. The bill is now under consideration in the U.S. House.
