The Iowa House passed a bill that would not require someone to have a permit to carry a firearm.

District 47 Representative Phil Thompson says the legislation would eliminate the training aspect to receive a permit to carry a firearm, but doesn’t exempt going through a background check when purchasing a firearm.

“They still go through the background check when purchasing the firearm. There will just be no requirement to present a carry permit in order to purchase it. So you still go through the federal background check, the NICs (National Instant Criminal) check, let them (be) sure that you aren’t a felon and you are eligible to carry a weapon.”

Thompson points out the legislation establishes more opportunities for weapons to be included with a background check.

“This opens up long guns to NIC checks too. So this actually creates more background checks on firearm sales. But it doesn’t affect the FFL (Federal Firearms Licensed dealer) transfer requirement for any kind of firearm. If you were to purchase a firearm you still go to a licensed FFL dealer, they usually charge a fee, and they perform a NICs background check.”

The House bill passed out of committee and a similar bill passed out of a Senate committee. Click the links below to see both bills.  

 

House Bill: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HSB254

Senate Bill: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SSB1232