The bill amends Section 708.6 of the Iowa Code, which addresses intimidation with a dangerous weapon. It redefines the circumstances under which a person can be charged with a class C or class D felony for using a dangerous weapon. Specifically, the bill removes references to the act of shooting, throwing, launching, or discharging a dangerous weapon within an assembly of people and the resulting reasonable apprehension of serious injury. Instead, it focuses on the act of targeting another person or a building, vehicle, airplane, railroad engine, railroad car, or boat occupied by another person.

Under the revised law, a person commits a class C felony if they intentionally injure or provoke fear or anger in another person by discharging a dangerous weapon in the specified contexts. A class D felony is applicable under similar circumstances but with less severe consequences. The penalties for a class C felony include confinement for up to 10 years and fines ranging from $1,370 to $13,660, while a class D felony carries a maximum confinement of five years and fines between $1,025 and $10,245.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 708.6