Iowa House passes measure that would keep gun permit holders' names confidential

Legislation that requires sheriff's departments to keep the names of firearm permit holders confidential passed the Iowa House on Monday with wide bipartisan support.

State Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, who managed the bill, said it was in response to some high-profiles cases of media and other organizations requesting information on firearm permit holders.

Under Iowa law, anyone who wants to acquire a firearm must first get a permit to acquire or a permit to carry a firearm through their local sheriff's department. A permit to acquire is valid for one year and a permit to carry is valid for five years. Long guns do not require a permit.

Windschitl said keeping permits confidential is a public safety issue for both people who own firearms and those who don't because criminals cannot target specific people based on whether they have or don't have a permit.

The legislation also includes a prohibition aimed at so-called "straw purchasers." It makes it a Class D felony for a person to knowingly purchase and transfer a firearm to another person who is prohibited by law from having one.

There was no debate on the bill, which passed 95-3. Rep. Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, was one of three Democrats who voted against the bill.

"I just don't understand the need for this," Murphy said. "I believe a person has a right to bear arms, but this is, this is just lame."

The two other no votes came from Bruce Hunter of Des Moines and Chuck Isenhart of Dubuque.