IOWA: Governor says he’ll sign gun permit bill into law

[GreenStormCloud]

http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/04/26/governor-says-hell-sign-gun-permit-bill-into-law/

Governor says he’ll sign gun permit bill into law
by Radio Iowa Contributor on April 26, 2010

in Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Governor Chet Culver said today he’ll sign into law a bill that would set a statewide standard for issuing permits to Iowans who want to carry a concealed weapon. Under current law, Iowa’s 99 county sheriffs get to decide who can and cannot get a concealed weapons permit. The new law will require a permit to be issued, in nearly every case, if the applicant has taken safety courses and hasn’t been convicted of a felony.

During his stop in Mason City today, Culver said he wants to make sure it’s a fair process statewide for those who apply for a permit.

“I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment,” Culver said. “I think we have to level the playing field to make all of the rules universal in terms of concealed weapon permits in all 99 counties and I want to make sure that if people want a concealed weapon permit, and they are eligible for one, that they get one.”

Culver indicated he’ll sign the bill into law on Thursday.

By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/26/culver-to-sign-shall-issue-gun-bill-nuclear-power-study-bill/

Culver to sign ’shall issue’ gun bill, nuclear power study bill

GUN PERMITS BILL: Iowa will go from a “may issue” state to a “shall issue” state, where sheriffs could deny a permit for only a limited number of reasons.

Culver intends to sign this bill, Senate File 2379, in his office at 9 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release.

The National Rifle Association was a major force behind this legislation.

Not all sheriffs like it. The Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association opposes the bill, partly because sheriffs would no longer have nearly unlimited discretion to deny an Iowan a permit.

The legislation would require sheriffs to document why they deny or revoke a gun permit. Right now, they can do so with no explanation.

He made everybody sweat that signature. He is waiting until the last day to sign it. Iowa will become the 41st state to become shall-issue.

[mvccd1000]

1. You mean Sheriffs will have to follow the law now...

... instead of saving CCW permits for their cronies and political supporters?

What a concept! No wonder they're pissed.

[pipoman]

2. There goes the best fund raising tool ever

how do they expect a good sheriff to get re-elected?


edit...Congrats Iowans, welcome to the sane 44? states, Wisconsin is next.

[jaxx]

3. No where does it say mental health would be a reason to not issue.

The person may be a real nut, but now the law will let them carry around a gun because they don't have a felony. Something is really wrong with that set of standards.

[shadowrider]

4. I agree

Florida became a real bloodbath after their law was passed, and we all know Vermont is the wild west personified.

Mental health WILL be a reason to deny, as it is everywhere IF someone has mental health issues AND it's been properly reported. All you're reading is a snippet. Read the entire law before you comment.

[jaxx]

5. I can comment when I want to.

Since I live next door in IL, and you appear to live in VA, I'd say I have more to comment on about this than you do. And since I go to Iowa now and then, it will affect me as a consumer. The last thing I want to do is have dinner with a gun sitting at the next table.

[shadowrider]

7. So I can't comment unless the proposed legislation occurs in the state in which I live?

Just curious

[jaxx]

12. You can't tell me not to comment.

I don't care where you're from.

[shadowrider]

15. I never said you couldn't comment

on any subject, at any time.

Please don't put words in my mouth.

[PavePusher]

31. He asked you to not comment from a position of ignorance...

or perhaps it is mendacity?

Either way, your assumptions are wrong. If you weren't obviously in error, you would not have to be so defensive...

[gorfle]

8. Guns may already be at the next table.

The last thing I want to do is have dinner with a gun sitting at the next table

Since Iowa already has some 35,000 CCW permit holders, chances are that someone at the next table already carries a firearm, you just haven't known about it before.

http://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/article_5713d3fc-3a18-11df-966d-001cc4c002e0.html

All this law really does is:

1) Unifies the CCW process across all of Iowa's 99 counties, rather than having each county do it slightly differently.
2) Changes the state from "may issue" to "shall issue". This means rather than you having to come up with a satisfactory reason to keep and bear arms, the State must issue unless they have a satisfactory reason for you not to.
3) It provides for reciprocity with other states that have CCW permits, meaning people from other states with CCW permits can also carry in Iowa.

[shadowrider]

10. I swear

the irrational fear some people have towards weapons boggles my mind. They ALREADY come in contact with CCW people and don't know about it since LEGAL CCW holders know better than to flaunt or brandish.

I'm amazed they actually get out of bed in the morning and venture out into the world.

[gorfle]

13. Agreed.

The simple fact is if he were seated at a table in a restaurant someone could just as easily walk up behind him and slit his throat from ear to ear with a pocket knife. But we don't generally sweat that event happening when we go to restaurants.

[jaxx]

14. It's not fear, I have rights too.

But as usual, the gun people must think theirs trumps mine. It doesn't. I remember wrangling with you before, and you have an attitude. That's a red flag.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

17. What rights are you referring to that "gun people" seem to be trampling?

[jeepnstein]

18. And what right of yours is restricted...

by a lawful citizen carrying a concealed firearm? There is no way you can even make such a claim.

[shadowrider]

19. If there is no "Firearms prohibited" sign on the door

of any establishment you've visited, statistically speaking, you've sat next to, and have been around legal CCW holders.

[GreenStormCloud]

23. You have the same rights that we do.

However, you wants are not rights. You do not have the right to live in a society with no guns. You can decline to be armed if you wish.

[gorfle]

26. This.

You do not have the right to live in a society with no guns. You can decline to be armed if you wish.

This is it in a nutshell.

[jaxx]

37. Every right isn't spelled out in the constitution.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


I have a right to not have guns around me unless they are on the person of a law enforcement member. I don't have to trust that every tom dick and harry who belong to the NRA are capable of being in public with a gun. Just looking on the answers here, sarcastic and not so subtle put downs because I don't happen to agree with concealed carry by the general public tells me I'm looking at an attitude....one of I can and you can put up with it. So be it.

I'm fighting the guns in IL, we don't need them.

[shadowrider]

38. The terrified, law abiding citizens of South Chicago would disagree with your last sentence.

[pipoman]

39. IL is fast becoming an island

of gang violence, murder and mayhem in a sea of reduced violence and lawful concealed carry. WI is next you know. Keep doing the same thing, maybe something different will happen, good luck with that..

[jaxx]

40. Shootouts on city streets isn't going to make it better.

[pipoman]

41. Yea, you already have that every night,

then compare to states with sane gun laws which are experiencing record low crime rates..

[slackmaster]

42. You have the right to control what is and is not permitted in your home and on your body

But not mine.

[GreenStormCloud]

43. You don't have the right to a gun-free society.

The right to be armed is an enumerated right. Yours is merely something you want.

Guns are needed. They are the only tool that enables the weak to be able to resist violent assault from the strong.

[Statistical]

28. What "right" would that be?

What "right" does unified CCW law (which simply replaces a patchwork network of differing standards with a single state wide standard) trump?

[NewMoonTherian]

44. It does.

In many states at least, the right to carry a firearm on my person trumps your right to... How do I phrase this? There is no way to express the "right" you claim in a way that wouldn't interfere with mine. My carrying a gun doesn't interfere with any of your rights. It has absolutely zero practical effect on you. Help me understand on what grounds you object to my carrying a weapon for my defense.

[armueller2001]

9. If you've ever traveled outside of Illinois

chances are you've sat at dinner with guns sitting at the next table numerous times. You just didn't know because it was concealed legally.

[mvccd1000]

16. You certainly can,

but I'm not sure your reasoning gives you "more to comment about." Just the opposite, in fact. You already live in a state where only the politically connected can get a CCW. The vast majority of the rest of the nation lives in places where any non-prohibited possessor must be issued a CCW upon request.

I'd say our experiences are now much more applicable to Iowa than yours are.

Arizona residents talking about the new "No permit required for concealed carry" law are probably much more interested in hearing about it from residents of VT and AK than from residents of places who have what they used to have. Those opinions simply aren't relevant any longer.

[Katya Mullethov]

20. Do you prefer Guardsmen ?

Not private armed guards like those trailing Bloomberg everywhere ,
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=bloomberg+takes+his+forbidden+guns+to+bermuda+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=3f73b7d243bf661


The rifle totin' Illinois National Guardsmen kinda guardsman .
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=governor+calls+Illinois+National+Guard+to+combat+crime+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&emsg=NCSR&ei=wNzWS73bNJLO8wSY07CRBw

[PavePusher]

33. "It's good to be the King..." n/t

[shadowrider]

34. Heh

/>

Uploaded with http://imageshack.us>ImageShack.us

Funny movie

[gorfle]

6. "Shall issue" does not mean "no background check"

No where does it say mental health would be a reason to not issue. The person may be a real nut, but now the law will let them carry around a gun because they don't have a felony. Something is really wrong with that set of standards.

I have not gone and read Iowa's proposed CCW law, but if it's anything like most other states, when you apply for a CCW permit you have to undergo a background check that sees if you have any disqualifying criminal or mental issues.

Furthermore, people who have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution are prohibited from even buying firearms and the will fail a NICS background check should they attempt to purchase a firearm through an FFL dealer.

Edit to add:

The current Iowa CCW permit application specifically asks about your mental background:

http://www.dps.state.ia.us/asd/weapons/WP5.pdf

And, of course, these sorts of things are checked when they run your background check; They don't just take your word for it when you fill out the application.

Also, the current legislation, according this article, allows for: "Permits could be denied for alcohol addiction or probable cause based on documentation of past actions that an applicant might use a weapon in a way to endanger himself, others or the public safety." (emphasis mine)

http://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/article_5713d3fc-3a18-11df-966d-001cc4c002e0.html

That is almost certainly the "insane" protection.

[GreenStormCloud]

22. Nothing wrong with it. You are forgetting federal law.

If a person has genuine mental health problems then they are supposed to be picked up by the NICS system and denied ownership of a gun. You can't carry if you can't even own a gun.

[shadowrider]

24. Well

You can't carry if you can't even own a gun LEGALLY.

[gorfle]

11. The bill also allows for reciprocity.

Go Iowa!

[X_Digger]

21. Good Job Iowa!

(And note that Culver is a democrat, and the assembly is majority democrats).

[GreenStormCloud]

25. Running Culver for President would blow lots of Republican's minds.

The couldn't claim that Culver was going to be anti-gun.

[Statistical]

29. Yeah would be a real test for the NRA.

Would be funny is it came down to say Culver vs. Bloomberg. :rofl:

[GreenStormCloud]

30. LOL. Heads would explode. N/T

[spin]

35. The NRA gave the Governor of New Mexico who is a Democrat ...

a high rating.

Endorsed by NRA for governor; would accept endorsement again

Q: You received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association running for governor. Would you accept the endorsement of the NRA for president?

A: Yes, I would. I’m a gun owner. I am for reasonable controls --I don’t want to see Uzis when you’re hunting, obviously.

Q: But you wouldn’t ban them.

A: I’m a western governor. It’s a cultural issue. I am for strong law enforcement .

Q: Being the NRA’s man is not going to be popular in some Democratic primaries.

A: Gun control shouldn’t be a litmus test in the Democratic Party. I don’t change my positions to run for president.

Q: Well, you did on assault weapons .

A: But that was a vote as part of an overall bill that President Clinton proposed .
Source: Meet the Press: 2007 “Meet the Candidates” series May 27, 2007

The 2nd Amendment is precious
Q: You are currently the NRA’s favorite presidential candidate declared in either party, based on their rating system. Did anything about the massacre at Virginia Tech make you rethink any part of your position on guns?

A: The first point I’d want to make is my sincerest condolences to the families of those loved ones that perished. It was an unspeakable tragedy. You’re right; I’m a Westerner. The 2nd Amendment is precious in the West. But I want to just state for the record, a vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding. This is an issue that deals with two fundamental problems in our system. The first is mental illness. We should ensure that all federal and state initiatives deal with making sure those with mental illnesses cannot get a gun. We should find ways to ensure that our schools get the help that they need to detect these mentally ill patients. Secondly, I’m for instant background checks. We have to make sure states are properly funded to be able to detect those problems.
Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Endorsed by NRA; has his own concealed carry permit
The National Rifle Association lent its endorsement this week to Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat. For governor. But as he mulls a run for president, Richardson’s history of close relations with the NRA could set him apart from other Democrats seeking the party’s bid.

As Richardson noted, he’s not the first Democrat to receive an NRA endorsement. “But there haven’t been very many,” he said. The NRA endorsement wasn’t the first time Richardson has garnered the group’s backing. “He’s been a pretty solid guy on the gun issue,” a member of the NRA’s board of directors said.

Whether that record could woo pro-Second Amendment voters into the Democratic fold in a national election is another question. The NRA endorsement cites Richardson’s support for a law that allows New Mexico residents to carry concealed handguns with a permit. Richardson said he has earned a concealed-carry permit himself.
Source: By Michael Gisick, Albuquerque Tribune Oct 3, 2006
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Bill_Richardson_Gun_Control.htm

I don't believe that Culver vs. Bloomberg would pose any test for the NRA. They support Democrats, Independents and Republicans who are pro-gun, they oppose those who are not.

In fact Culver already has an A rating from the NRA which has been discussed on DU by GreenStormCloud.

http://www.democraticunderground.org/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x305681#305692

[shadowrider]

36. Shhhhhhhhh

Don't you know the NRA is a tool of the right wing that only supports the GOP? (IF you were to believe many posters to this board)

[Statistical]

45. Generally speaking I agree with that however there is an element in NRA leadership who doesn't.

Many of their claims about Obama are outlandish. They love to stir the pot. They love to play up the "gun grabbing liberal" meme for fundraising.

For some (not all) elements of NRA it would be a nightmare to have a pro-gun Democrat and anti-gun Republican on a national ticket.

[DonP]

32. Obviously they can't be "Real" Democrats ...

... as we have been so often lectured here. All "Real" democrats must be for ever stricter and more "common sense" gun control.

Wow, who would have guess that those 44 shall issue states were all GOP dominated?

[Statistical]

27. Way to go!. May Issue = May Infringe.

Shall Issue is the only method that is "equal protection under the law".

[proteus_lives]

46. Good news for Iowa!

:thumbsup: