It's been nearly two years since Iowa became a "shall issue" concealed weapons state. As a "shall issue" state, county sheriffs can only deny concealed weapons permits for specific reasons like alcoholism, mental illness or past felony convictions.That's even a bigger lie than we usually hear about the concealed carry guys being safe. It's funny how the pro-gun crowd will suspend all common sense and reason in order to claim belief in the most absurd statistics.
Since then, concealed weapons permits have surged. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, in 2010, 40,747 Iowans got permits to carry a gun. Last year, the first year under shall issue, that number skyrocketed to 102,729 Iowans.
Cedar Rapids police statistics show another alarming change; a jump in gun incidents. In 2011, there were a dozen gun-related police reports in Cedar Rapids. And so far this year, there have been 52 shootings including shot-up buildings, suicides and murders.
But, a records search shows not one of the known offenders had a gun permit. It’s no surprise to gun shop owner Ernie Traugh. “The violence isn't coming from the ppl with permits, we don't have to worry about that,” said Cedar Valley Outfitters Owner Ernie Traugh.
I cannot believe that the increase in concealed carry permits has had only an indirect affect on the increase in criminal gun incidents. I would imagine it's more direct. An indirect affect might be having their guns stolen or transferring their guns to unfit people without doing background checks. A direct affect would be when one of the concealed carry holders actually does something wrong.
To claim that not one single person committed a gun crime is absurd. The "records search" is total nonsense, for one reason, because no one is checking. When someone kills himself or another, or commits some other gun crime, no one is checking if he has a concealed carry permit unless it comes up by accident and makes the news. So, the truth is, we have no idea how many of these licensed gun owners are becoming criminals.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
