GOP Bill revived to make gun permits optional - and more cowardly GOP shenanigans

[jpak]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110310/NEWS10/103100347/Bill-revived-to-make-gun-permits-optional?Old%20Time%20Photos

Republicans have revived a proposal that would allow Iowans to carry weapons in public without permission from a sheriff, without background checks and without training requirements.

The bill died for lack of support in last week's legislation-killing funnel deadline in the Iowa Legislature. But the new legislation resurfaced as a tax bill through a committee chairman's direction, a move described as unusual by Statehouse veterans.

<snip>

Some legislators expressed enthusiasm for the bill, but others said it goes too far, too fast. Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-sanity-Coralville, said: "A bill of this magnitude needs to be properly vetted. Look at the shall-issue bill - we're dealing with some problems there, and this is a quantum leap."

More than 15 law enforcement officials came to the Capitol on Wednesday to voice concerns. Republicans abruptly ended Wednesday's meeting when they noticed a Democratic staffer was videotaping the session.

<more>