After being on her desk for almost two weeks, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Friday ending the requirement for Iowans to get a permit to buy and carry a handgun.

District 78 State Representative Jarad Klein (R) of Keota says he was never concerned the Governor wouldn’t sign the legislation that continues the provision to have gun buyers pass a national background check to make a purchase from a licensed dealer.  However, there is no requirement in the new law to get a background check to buy a gun from a private seller, a change critics say opens up a major loophole. Klein doesn’t agree, “I don’t believe so. All we’re saying is you got to make sure that person is able to have a firearm before you think about selling it. Make sure they have a permit. If you have any questions, go to a local store and have them do consignment for you and they can do the background check there. All those things can happen, but we do ensure that background checks do continue, but that you don’t need a permission slip to practice your second amendment right with carry.”

The new law makes it a felony to sell a gun to someone who the seller knows or “reasonably should know” would not be able to pass a background check. Republican supporters say they believe this provision will be enough to keep guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from owning a gun. The new law takes effect July 1st.