
You know constitutional carry matters for citizens who want to defend themselves. Now, another state has joined the 18 that already protected the constitutional carry of firearms.
Iowa’s governor, Kim Reynold (R), has signed a law eliminating the need to get a permit to buy or carry handguns in the Hawkeye State. Fox News reports:
The new law takes effect July 1, with many calling it a “constitutional carry” bill.
“Today I signed legislation protecting the Second Amendment rights of Iowa’s law-abiding citizens while still preventing the sale of firearms to criminals and other dangerous individuals,” Reynolds said in a statement Friday afternoon.
The Republican acknowledged that the bill will not stop “bad actors” from acquiring handguns, but that it will protect her citizens’ rights.
The bill does not provide blanket freedom to purchase guns without some hurdles.
Under previous law, a citizen would need to pass a background check to obtain a permit, which was required to buy or carry handguns. The new law still requires background checks or permits for federally-licensed dealers, but it does not require them anymore for individual vendors.
Supporters of the bill claim that Iowans would still obtain permits in order to carry their handguns in other states that have reciprocal agreements with Iowa, the Iowa State Daily reported.
The other eighteen states with constitutional carry are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Action Line: If your state doesn’t protect your constitutional right to carry a firearm, it’s time to work through the process and get your gun and your training now.