LANDON: Bill Seeking to Make Gun Permit Records Private is Important to All Iowans

Second amendment rights are important to citizens of House District 37.  In the past three months I have received significantly more contacts in support of these rights than any other subject. 

House File 535 passed out of the House to the Senate on March 18, and makes the names, addresses and other identifiable information of weapons permit holders private and prevents the release of this information to the general public. Protecting the privacy of permit holders also protects the privacy of those who choose not to have a firearm. Additionally, this legislation increased the penalty for those conducting illegal straw purchases of weapons.  

Under current law, permits to acquire a weapon and permits to conceal and carry a weapon are issued by the sheriff in each county. Each sheriff has discretion to determine how permit holders information is published. Some counties have lists available online while other counties only release names if they are requested.  Several newspapers around the state publish the names of permit holders on a regular basis. When a newspaper in New York published an interactive map with names and addresses of permit holders, several homes on the list were burglarized from which weapons were stolen.

House File 535 prohibits permit holders names from being released to the general public; however the bill allows law enforcement to have access for investigative purposes. Sheriff’s offices and the Department of Public Safety can release statistical information on the number of permits issued and those rejected, but no personal information may be shared. Personal information not requested by law enforcement may only be released through a court order or with the permission of the individual. 

Additionally, this bill strengthens penalties for those who conduct a straw purchase.  A straw purchase is conducted when a person, who can legally possess a firearm, purchases one for someone who cannot legally possess a firearm or when someone who cannot legally possess a firearm lies to another about their status in order to obtain a weapon. Under federal law this is illegal and under state law lying on the purchase form is a criminal offense. Under this legislation, a straw purchase becomes a class “D” felony, with a potential fine between $750 and $7,500 and up to 5 years in prison.

House file 535 passed with a vote of 95-3.  The bipartisan work shows how important this bill is for all Iowans.

Many of you have asked about property tax reform.  This week we passed a meaningful bill out of the Ways and Means committee (House Study Bill 150) which will be debated on the floor in the coming weeks.  Please contact me about this and other issues that are important to you or join me at the following forums:

• March 23, 2013, 8 a.m., Café Diem, 2005 S. Ankeny Blvd.

• April 6, 2013, 9 a.m., Neveln Center, 406 S.W. School St.

• April 27, 2013, 8 a.m., Café Diem, 2005 S. Ankeny Blvd.