Iowa Gun Law: Concealed Guns Flooding Streets

Guess what happened after the new Iowa gun law went into effect? Yes, the law allowing you to carry your gun concealed or openly in public with a permit?

A whole lot of Iowans showed up to apply for the gun permits.

Iowa has now become a state with a "shall-issue" gun policy, which requires the state to issue a permit if the person meets objective criteria, which is a fee, a background check, fingerprinting, and training, ABC 6 NEWS reports. Veterans can substitute their experience for gun training in many situations.

Under the new law, there are no restrictions on who can purchase a gun permit, as long as they don't have a criminal record for a felony or domestic violence convictions, a mental illness and or one of another very specific legal grounds. A gun permit costs $50 for a new permit and $25 to renew.

Previously, under Iowa gun law, county sheriffs could reject an application for almost any reason, UPI reports.

"You don't have to come and tell us why you want to purchase a gun anymore, that's your personal business, we issue without justification now," says Sheriff's Clerk Julie Johnson, who added the number of applications are up statewide.

So with all these new gun permit holders on the street, should the people of Iowa be concerned about an increase in shootings?

Not according to John Lott, who recently published the third edition of "More Guns, Less Crime." "The more [permits] issued, the more criminals are going to be afraid to attack other people," he told The Washington Times.

Related Resources:

• Iowa should impose sensible gun restraint (Des Moines Register)
• States Challenge Federal Gun Regulations (FindLaw's Blotter)
• State Gun Control Laws (FindLaw)