True to his word, Representative Clel Baudler has introduced a "Shall Issue" bill in the Iowa House. As stated in a previous thread, this bill would change the issuing authority for residents from their local county sheriff to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Language which currently differentiates between residents and non-residents is stricken, suggesting that non-residents would now be held to the same standard as residents, with the same issuing requirements to be met.
Allowing concealed carry weapons permits in Iowa to be issued based on 99 different sheriffs criteria has been permitted for way too long. The criteria among these issuing sheriffs have been arbitrary and capricious in many cases. In many other cases permits were not obtainable at all regardless of the reputation of the Iowan filing the application. There also was no means of appeal to a refusal as the county sheriff had final say in the matter.
The permit term would be 3 years, instead of the current one year, with a permit fee of $30 plus a $2 issuing fee ($1 for renewals or duplicates). There would be a uniform, statewide training program of 8 hours (with a shooting standard), and the bill specifies standards for instructors. Also, reciprocity would be extended to persons licensed by states which recognize Iowa's permit.
Right now this bill is in sub-commitee. It appears that our chances withing that committee are good. If it goes to the full Public Safety Committee we may have to start targeting them with emails and letters of support. Same only more if it moves to full house debate.
If you speak with or write a letter to your Iowa Legislatures, tell them the truth about Iowa’s current discriminatory permit system. Explain to them that this “shall issue” bill would actually create safer Iowa by standardizing training requirements statewide in order to be issued a permit.
Allowing concealed carry weapons permits in Iowa to be issued based on 99 different sheriffs criteria has been permitted for way too long. The criteria among these issuing sheriffs have been arbitrary and capricious in many cases. In many other cases permits were not obtainable at all regardless of the reputation of the Iowan filing the application. There also was no means of appeal to a refusal as the county sheriff had final say in the matter.
The permit term would be 3 years, instead of the current one year, with a permit fee of $30 plus a $2 issuing fee ($1 for renewals or duplicates). There would be a uniform, statewide training program of 8 hours (with a shooting standard), and the bill specifies standards for instructors. Also, reciprocity would be extended to persons licensed by states which recognize Iowa's permit.
Right now this bill is in sub-commitee. It appears that our chances withing that committee are good. If it goes to the full Public Safety Committee we may have to start targeting them with emails and letters of support. Same only more if it moves to full house debate.
If you speak with or write a letter to your Iowa Legislatures, tell them the truth about Iowa’s current discriminatory permit system. Explain to them that this “shall issue” bill would actually create safer Iowa by standardizing training requirements statewide in order to be issued a permit.
