A new law will take effect July 1st in Iowa where those who are legally able to possess a firearm will no longer need to obtain a permit to carry one.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green says the permitless to carry a firearm law will install a few new regulations and restrictions when it comes to firearms. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio anyone who is legal to have a firearm will have the option to get a permit to carry and if they don’t have a permit, then those individuals will be subjected to a background check every time they want to purchase a firearm. However, Green still advocates for having a permit for those that regularly purchase firearms.

“If you really love purchasing guns and trading or whatever it certainly would not hurt to have a permit. Also, it allows you to go to other states that have permit laws and of course abide by their laws. I still recommend people to get their permit. It never hurts to take a class and further educate yourself.”

Green points out even though the permits will be optional and therefore people won’t be required to take an education course, he believes responsible individuals will educate themselves about the firearms they purchase. He adds, there are stiffer penalties included in the new law, such as a private seller who does not do a background check and sells to someone who isn’t legally supposed to have a firearm will be charged with a felony and minors found carrying a concealed weapon will be charged with a serious misdemeanor.