Iowa Carry and Pistol Purchase Permits Online

Gun Watch ^ | 8 February, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Starting on 5 February, 2014, the Scott County, Iowa  Sheriff's Department has instituted an innovative and convenient way for Iowa residents to obtain their firearms carry permit or pistol purchase permit.   Under Iowa law, a person must have a permit to carry a firearm before they can carry one, either openly or concealed.   They are also required to obtain a permit to purchase a pistol before purchasing one, either from a dealer or privately.  While these requirements are a little unusual (most states do not require a permit to carry firearms openly, and only a few require a permit to purchase a pistol) the online process seems much more convenient than most, and, compared to most concealed carry permits, is reasonably priced.

A permit to carry costs $54  and is good for 5 years.  It also doubles as a permit to purchase pistols during that 5 year period.     In addition, the carry permit is renewable for each additional  5 years for $29 more.  The permit to purchase a pistol (presumable for home use only!) costs $14, and is good for one year.   $4 of each of these fees is a service fee for using a credit card, and can be avoided by paying in person at the Sheriff's office.

No information about pistols acquired is required by the Sheriff's office.  Unfortunately,  you have to pick up your permit at the Sheriff's office in person, and only between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00  pm, Monday through Friday.   You have to present identification at the time of pickup, and show documentation of the required training for the carry permit.

My attention was drawn to this innovative program by a short article on kljb.com, titled "Online Gun Registration In Scott County".  As Iowa does not have or require gun registration, I was intrigued, only to find the program to acquire permits to carry guns or purchase pistols, and nothing to do with registration.

There are also some "suggestions" listed by the Scott County Sheriff's Department that are a bit confusing.  It is a little questionable that the Sheriff's Department would place such "suggestions" so prominently when some are only individual opinions, and others carry the force of law, and they are not clearly differentiated.    People could be deceived into thinking that some opinions are a part of Iowa law when they are not, and some parts of the law are opinions, when they carry criminal penalties.   Here are the "suggestions" listed by the Scott County Sheriff's Department:

Suggestions:

Please consider the following suggestions:

• Permit holders are STRONGLY encouraged to safely conceal their weapons versus carrying in the open or plain view.
• At the onset of any contact with law enforcement, IMMEDIATELY notify the deputy/officer(s) that you have a permit to carry and you are armed.
• A permit holder is required by law to carry their permit while armed by State Code of Iowa 724.5
• Prior to traveling across state lines, familiarize yourself with the laws of the state you intend to pass through and enter. Iowa recognizes and honors weapon permits from other states, but in many other states there is no such reciprocity.
• Weapon possession/use is prohibited while a person is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs by State Code of Iowa 724.4C
• Permit holders may possess weapons in vehicles but not while riding on an ATV or snowmobile.
• Contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for specific inquiries regarding hunting.
• Private establishments may post signs prohibiting weapons on their premises.
• Permit holders may not carry on school grounds.
• Permit holders are STRONGLY encouraged to gain proficiency with the weapon they carry (to include shooting accuracy, weapon safety, and justification in the use of deadly force).

 I found these "suggestions" to be rather confusing. To be fair, Iowa law may require greater clarification than this short list can supply.

Overall, I have to give the Scott County Sheriff's Department good grades for their efforts to make the permit process easier for everyone. This online process is quite new, and will likely be refined as time passes.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Iowa is a mix. The shall issue law that they passed is much better than the "may issue" law that preceded it, but they have lots of areas for improvement.

[umgud]

Crimminals ccw with a lot less hassle and hoops to jump through.

[niteowl77]

they have lots of areas for improvement

Indeed! I had a permit for 11 years, but moved to a congenitally Democrat county that would not issue to anyone but LEOs or friends of the right politicians. "Shall issue" passes the legislature, and I then find out that my original CCW course (still on file, BTW… don't think they ever destroy anything that doesn't relate to the Clintons or Obama's birth) and 11 trouble-free years counted for zip, and I would have to start all over again.

I'm not sure how I became less astute around firearms now than I was back in the bad old "may issue" days, but so be it.

Mr. niteowl77

[radiohead]

I’m in Iowa. The other day I was on Facebook and there was an ad for an online course for concealed carry. You can repeat the course until you pass it. I had no idea you could do that as my son and his friends went to the ‘big city’ to take a 1 day course in person.

Doing it online is great for me. I looked up a couple of providers and found one that will serve my needs and get accepted by my local sheriff’s office.

[faithhopecharity]

... “The peoples right to keep and bear arms shall not be Infringed”.

[Secret Agent Man]

isn’t iowa then turning a constitutional right into a privilege you have to pay a fee to use?

how has not the nra and other groups gone after this law?

[marktwain]

Iowa was “may issue” for decades before 2010. Now it is “shall issue”, the fee is $54 on line, and it is considerably easier than many states.

They have made quite an improvement. Is it constitutional carry? No. Neither was Arizona for 12 years after we passed shall issue.

Incrementalism is working on this issue.

[marktwain]

“I’m not sure how I became less astute around firearms now than I was back in the bad old “may issue” days, but so be it.”

I think, if good Iowans had not passed “shall issue” you would not be getting a permit at all, in you present location.

So, was it a step backward?

[niteowl77]

I think, if good Iowans had not passed “shall issue” you would not be getting a permit at all, in you present location.

That has occurred to me.

So, was it a step backward?

No. Does it still need work? I believe it does.

Mr. niteowl77

[marktwain]

“Does it still need work? I believe it does.”

You and me both, brother.

[Free Vulcan]

We got a split legislature right now, and sadly this is about as much of the loaf as we can get. Honestly I’m surprised we got this much, considering how hard it’s been to get anything done with The Gronstal(or Gronstall, or The Gronstwall, as we like to call him), our Dem Senate Leader.