Courses set to address requirements of Iowa’s new firearms law.

Iowans seeking a permit to carry a weapon may be going back to school for one day.

Changes in firearms laws mean permit renewal applicants will be required to take a certification course before their next permit to carry a weapon is issued.

The certification requirement is one of the changes included in Senate File 2379 that was signed into law by Governor Culver and is set to take effect in January 2011, according to firearms training instructor Steve Hensyel

Hensyel has been a NRA Certified Instructor for over 10 years and recently started Hawkeye Firearms Instruction. Persons wanting to apply for a permit or needing a renewal can satisfy the mandatory certification provisions of the new law in a one-day, four-hour classroom setting. Permit applicants don’t have to take a written test and they don’t have to prove their proficiency at a firing range. They can expect a review of firearm safety, federal laws and Iowa laws, however.

“We go over use of force — basically when you can use your firearm, when you can take it out of the holster — making sure they’re covered legally, criminally and civilly. The course also covers a lot about personal responsibility and liability” Hensyel said.

Once participants complete the certification, their permit will be valid for five years instead of the current, annual renewal.

Permit applicants will no longer have to rely on their relationship with the local sheriff. In the past, firearms groups said the 99 counties in Iowa meant there were 99 different standards to obtain an Iowa permit to carry weapons.

Mahaska County has in recent years adopted a fairly inclusive policy for issuing weapons permits, while in past years they were far more restrictive.

Under the new law, the sheriff’s office is still the issuing agency, but the elected office-holder can’t deny a permit for arbitrary reasons. An applicant no longer has to justify their interest in obtaining a permit.

“Basically, if you have a clean record and you apply, go through the testing and the training, you’re going to get a permit as long as you have a clean record,” Hensyel said.

The NRA and Iowa Firearms Coalition (formerly Iowa Carry) are working to further protect and improve gun rights in Iowa. Hensyel likes the law, and encourages anyone who has a permit to carry to begin the recertification process.

In another change, permit applicants are encouraged to submit their applications 30 days before their current permit is set to expire. The renewal fee is $25, but those who don’t file in time have a $50 fee to receive a new permit.

“The retraining needs to be done within a 12-month window before they renew,” Hensyel said and is in the process of adding classes in the area.

KEY CHANGES — STARTING IN 2011

• Permits will last five years instead of the current annual renewal.

• Completion of a certification course will be required prior to permit renewal.

• Sheriffs can’t arbitrarily deny a permit if the applicant has a clean criminal background.

• Applicants no longer have to justify the reason they want a weapons permit.

• Restrictions can no longer be placed on permits.

Story by Steve Hensyel

Posted by on Sep 28 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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