New Bill Could Change Gun Rules in Iowa

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Mar 30, 2010 at 7:47 PM CST

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2010 at 7:26 AM CST

DES MOINES - The Iowa House and Senate have both signed off on a bill that reduces sheriffs' ability to deny permits to carry a gun.

The bill essentially changes the law from saying sheriff's "may" issue gun permits to they "shall" issue permits. If the governor signs the bill, people must still pass a background check, but sheriffs will only be able to reject permits for a few specific reasons.

People who shop at Marion’s Cedar Valley Outfitters cherish their right to carry a weapon. Many believe sheriffs have rejected too many people for frivolous or personal reasons.

"As much as people would like to think it doesn't exist, it does,” Cedar Valley Outfitters owner Ernie Traugh said.

Gun enthusiasts also argue people who apply for gun permits typically don't use their guns to commit crimes.

"The laws only affect those who abide by them. If somebody wanted a gun, there's a way they could go about getting one,” customer Justin Baker said.

Most sheriffs in Iowa disagree and fear this new legislation could lead to more guns on the streets and less monitoring of the weapons.

"I think it's unfortunate the NRA was able to come in, push the legislature around and get them to go along with this,” Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said.

Yet, those in favor of fewer restrictions point to the second amendment and pre-existing safeguards.

"When they pass a federal background check, they don't have a criminal history and they should be able to get a permit,” Traugh said.

Getting everyone to agree on how to regulate guns will never happen, but right now, a majority of lawmakers have sided with a new set of standards.

Here are a few proposed changes:

* Permits would now last five years, instead of one. * Sheriffs could not place restrictions on the permits -- in other words, they couldn't tell someone they could only carry a concealed handgun. * Sheriffs could only deny a gun permit for pre-defined reasons like alcohol addiction or previous criminal history.

A recent poll by the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association found 77 sheriffs or deputies did not approve of this legislation. The Jones County Sheriff is one of only five people who agreed with it.

"Some people think there's going to be blood in the streets and everybody's going to be carrying their guns into the bars. It's not the people with the permits to carry that we have to worry about. It's the ones that don't,” Jones County Sheriff Mark Denniston said.

Within the next 30 days, Governor Culver will decide whether to sign the bill into law.

SF2379 Enrolled

E-mail Mark Geary at Mark.Geary@kcrg.com or follow him on Twitter.

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