Last week, the House passed HF 756. The bill addressed many areas of gun laws but the part that caught the most attention would end the requirement that a person have a permit to carry or purchase a firearm. There has been a significant amount of misinformation and confusion about the bill.
FALSE: Eliminates Iowa background check requirements.
FACT: Background checks are still required for long gun and a hand gun purchase. Background checks will be run through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) run by the FBI and the ATF. This check is currently used for long gun purchases in Iowa and now it will also be used for handgun purchases.
FALSE: Eliminates Iowa’s Permit to Carry Requirement
FACT: HF 756 keeps the permit option in place, but does not require a permit if a law-abiding Iowan wants to carry their firearm. In order to carry outside of Iowa, Iowans would still need to have a permit.
FALSE: Makes it easy for felons and domestic abusers to buy handguns
FACT: HF 756 would make it more difficult for felons and domestic abusers to buy firearms because they would be subject to a background check for every firearms purchase through a federally licensed dealer. Current law only requires showing a permit issued in the last five years. The National Instant Criminal Background Check is updated immediately by state and federal agencies to have the most accurate information available regarding who can and cannot have a firearm.
FALSE: Allows guns on school buses
FACT: Iowa code was not changed regarding firearms on school or school buses. It has been permitted under stringent guidelines in Iowa Code for several years.
