Autolycus
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Link to list of Permit holders.
This makes me very angry!
This makes me very angry!
Who is allowed to carry a weapon?
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070324/NEWS01/703240313/1079
25,082 Iowans have permits to carry
By Mike McWilliams
Iowa City Press-Citizen
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By the numbers
• There were 25,082 non-professional right to carry weapons permits issued in Iowa last year.
• In 2006, Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek approved 233 permits.
• Johnson County ranks 90th out of Iowa's 99 counties in number of residents per 1,000 that have a permit to carry a weapon. About 2 out of every 1,000 Johnson County residents has a permit to carry a weapon.
• Johnson County ranked 44th in total number of right to carry permits issued last year.
Whenever Terry Michel goes out on a sale, chances are he brings his .357 Magnum handgun with him.
"I know there are a lot of people who think I carry it all the time, and that's good," said Michel, who lives in Oxford and owns Clear Creek Auto Inc. in Homestead. "I would (use it) if I had to, but you hope you never have to."
For nearly 30 years, Michel has had a permit to carry a weapon in Iowa. Michel is one of 25,082 Iowans with a non-professional permit to carry a weapon. There were 233 such permits issued last year in Johnson County, which is slightly down from 246 in 2005 and 287 in 2004.
However, permits to acquire a handgun jumped slightly from 476 in 2005 to 539 last year, Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said. Both permits cost $15 apiece and must be renewed annually.
"It's not be-cause of denials," Pulkrabek said of the decrease in permits to carry. "I assume people are moving or decide that they don't have a need anymore."
With about two per 1,000 residents holding a permit to carry a weapon, Johnson County ranks 90th out of Iowa's 99 counties. Harrison County in western Iowa tops the list with about 37 per 1,000 of its residents permitted to carry a gun, records show. In terms of total number of permits issued, Johnson County ranks 44th. Polk County tops the list at 2,163 non-professional permits.
When someone wants a permit to carry, Pulkrabek said they first must complete a handgun safety course. After that, a criminal background check is done before the sheriff approves the application.
Applicants also must give reasons why they need to carry a pistol. Pulkrabek said those granted a permit typically include antique collectors, gun collectors, retired law enforcement officers or those whose business requires them to carry large sums of money, he said.
Pulkrabek said he's only denied three applications since he became sheriff in 2005. Two of the denials were because the applicants were under psychiatric care, he said.
"We just don't authorize someone to carry a weapon just based on that they think they need personal protection," Pulkrabek said. "The reason for that is that I've got officers that are full-time that don't carry all the time, so I don't think it's necessary for the average citizen to carry a gun all the time when police officers don't.
"I understand that some people out there want them and every year in the Legislature, something comes up about taking control away from Iowa sheriffs," Pulkrabek said. "But I'm confident I do a good job of looking out for the interests of the citizens of Johnson County, and that's part of my job."
Iowa City resident Dean Thornberry has had a permit to carry a weapon since 1996. A former Iowa City Council member, Thornberry said he applied for a permit following the fatal shooting of local artist Eric Shaw by a police officer.
"There were a lot of threats made against some of us on the city council during the Eric Shaw incident and due to those threats, I did receive firearm training and got a permit to carry," Thornberry said.
Thornberry declined to say publicly why he now carries a gun or how often.
"My justification for having a permit is in connection with business as so stated on my permit," Thornberry said.
Retired Iowa City Police officer and Johnson County Board of Supervisors chairman Pat Harney also has a permit. However, Harney said he "very rarely" carries a gun.
"I'll carry it sometimes if I'm hunting or if there's a situation that might call for it," Harney said, declining to elaborate.
With his permit set to expire Tuesday, Michel walked into the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Friday, filled out a renewal form and paid the $15 fee. Michel said he doesn't mind the weapon laws as they stand right now, but he said he fears they could become more restrictive.
"As far as background checks, I think it's an excellent idea on this type of stuff," Michel said. "But they could be tightened up more than they need to be."
Reach Mike McWilliams at 339-7360 or [email protected].
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