Posted by Dave on 1/27/2008, 2:12 pm Link: Click Here for more information and IowaCarry.Org
Today in Iowa, the bad guys are already carrying weapons, but law-abiding citizens can legally be denied the right to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Under Chapter 724.7 of the Iowa Code, a law abiding resident who desires to carry a concealed weapon must apply for a Permit to Carry Weapons to the sheriff of the county where they reside. The decision to issue a permit is made solely at the personal discretion of that county’s sheriff.
At first glance, this seems reasonable. If you have a valid reason for carrying a weapon, you can get a permit, correct? Not necessarily.
Under current law and practice, any sheriff may summarily deny any applicant this right. Many do just that. The word “may” in Chapter 724.7 above is the operative word. You may get your permit, or you may not!
There are literally 99 different issue policies in the state - one for each county sheriff.
Even more appalling are those who are fortunate enough to be issued a permit may legally carry their weapon anywhere in the state, even in counties where a sheriff may issue no permits. Surely the needs of the citizens in each county do not vary so widely.
As it stands, Iowa Chapter 724.7 is a patently unfair and inequitable law. The phrase “...unequal protection under the law...” from the 14th Amendment to our US Constitution, immediately comes to mind.
It strikes most folks as unfair & unlikely, for similar individuals to be treated differently when it comes to our rights under Iowa law. Yet records at the Iowa Department of Public Safety reveal that this is exactly what is happening with respect to issuing permits to carry weapons. The counties map page shows the relative level of difficulty for a law-abiding citizen to be issued a permit depending only upon which county they live.
For more information: http://www.iowacarry.org/
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