Iowans would no longer need a permit to carry or buy guns under a GOP bill in the Legislature

Iowans wouldn't need a permit to buy or carry firearms if a Republican-sponsored bill in the Iowa Legislature were to become law.

Supporters say it would remove the need for Iowans to get "a permission slip" to exercise their right to keep and bear arms, while opponents say it would threaten public safety and roll back some of Iowa's background check requirements.

The bill, House Study Bill 254, advanced through a House subcommittee Monday with Reps. Steven Holt, R-Denison, and Jarad Klein, R-Keota, in support and Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, opposed. It is now eligible for consideration by the full House Public Safety Committee. A Senate subcommittee will consider similar legislation on Tuesday.

"Those who cannot legally possess a firearm, I will say again, will still not be able to legally possess a firearm under the provisions of this bill," Holt said. "And those practicing their Second Amendment rights will no longer have to get a permission slip to practice their basic fundamental rights."