Gun permit applications surge under Iowa's new law

(AP) - Gun owners and potential gun owners are flocking to sheriff's offices across Iowa in the wake of a new state law that requires sheriffs under most circumstances to issue permits to carry concealed weapons.

According to The Des Moines Register, several sheriffs' offices reported receiving 10 to 20 times as many applications on Monday as they do most days.

The new law, which took effect last Saturday, limits the discretion local sheriffs previously had in denying permits without explanation. Now, sheriffs can only deny applications for specific reasons, such as a prior criminal record or drug and alcohol addiction, and must provide a written explanation.

Monday was the first day government offices were open since the law went on the books. In Polk County, 308 people applied for permits or renewals. Officials said they typically had handed out about 300 applications in a month.

In Story County, there were 52 applications while 83 people applied in Jasper County. In both cases, it was far more than normal.

"You're seeing just pent-up demand," said John Pierce, co-founder of OpenCarry.org, a national Internet advocate for laws that let people carry weapons openly.

"What you have is a lot of citizens who knew the sheriff could turn them down for any reason or no reason at all," he said.

The lines weren't as long on Tuesday. Polk County Deputy Sheriff Jana Rooker said publicity about the new law may have contributed to the run on the permit window.

Ken Wheeler, 66, of Grimes, was among those who applied for a gun permit on Tuesday at the Polk County sheriff's office just north of Des Moines. He said it was his first weapons permit and he wants to be able to carry a firearm for safety.

"It's to protect myself and my family," he said.

A person with a permit to carry is allowed to carry a handgun, rifle or shotgun openly or concealed. Gun-toting citizens will have to respect signs on businesses and offices that prohibit firearms.

Wheeler said few gun owners will carry guns where they can be seen.

"I've talked to dozens and dozens of people, and I haven't talked to anyone who is considering carrying a handgun where it can be seen," he said.

Jasper County Sheriff Michael Balmer said the new law changes the way he issues permits.

"We denied people a permit in the past if their only reason was that they wanted to carry a gun," he said. "If they couldn't come up with a reason, I wouldn't issue one."

Balmer said under the new law, he's concerned people with short tempers are going to start waving guns instead of fists.

"The biggest problem with making this consistent from county to county is they threw out all the good training requirements," he said. "It is now possible to complete a handgun class and never pull a trigger. Someone who has never pulled the trigger on a handgun will now be able to carry one."