I am pleased that one of the first questions I am always asked when
people find out I am running for Sheriff is about gun control and
concealed weapons permits. I have always been a firm believer in the
right to bear arms. As a military leader, I have been quite clear about
my concerns and my thoughts regarding this issue, however, as it is one
of the most asked questions I field, I have decided to add this topic to
my website. (more).
Below, you will find answers to 5 excellently prepared questions from an
organization called IowaCarry.org. Their questions were so appropriate
that I felt it significant to add my answers on this website. I hope
that these responses answer questions of Black Hawk County voters and
possibly stirs more questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me if
you would like more insight or answers to questions not asked...
1. What are your views on current CCW laws? I agree that there is far
too much ambiguity in the current language of the law. I won't go so far
as to say that we need a "shall issue" law, because there are always
circumstances where even though there is a lack of tangible
documentation to support a refusal of the CCW, anyone speaking to the
individual would recognize that he/she should not be carrying weapons.
However, I would appreciate language which precludes a Sheriff's
personal opinions and/or prejudices to influence a person's inalienable
rights to bear arms. I think that the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office
and Sheriff Mike Kubik have done an admirable job in ensuring that all
who qualify to carry (under Mike's standards, which are quite lax when
compared to other County Sheriffs across the state of Iowa) can
obtain a CCW.
2. What would you change? I would love to have more guidance and
perimeters outlined in the guidelines for qualifications of issuance,
and then be able to add "shall" instead of "may" into the law, as I
believe that it is the guidance on restrictions that is lacking... the
only problem is (as I indicated before) there are several people who
have not been detected by the system for mental instabilities or
predisposition to aggression, etc and we do need language that allows a
Sheriff to use his discretion when it comes to these exceptions to the
rule...
3. What justification would you require to receive a CCW? For most
people (citizens) I feel like the justification for why they request a
CCW simply needs to be that they are able to meet the requirements and
have an earnest desire to provide a safer and more secure environment
for themselves, their family, and everyone in Black Hawk County. I do
feel that I need to take this answer a step further to ensure that this
earnest desire continues year after year, because in Black Hawk County,
it is my understanding that we can request someone to retake the
qualification course again, but it is rarely, if ever done... to this
end, it does concern me when 80 year old men who cannot see 10 yards in
front of them are renewing their 30 year old CCW... so I might be
interested in continuing to foster that partnership with the permit
holders and provide some sort of on-going education and or qualification
to ensure that those with weapons permits are still able to be safe with
them. Maybe even to take it so far as to invite CCW permit holders to
come train at the range with Deputies or observe training of the
Tactical/SWAT team while attending additional training themselves, t
hereby improving the connectivity that my staff would have with the
public.
4. What training requirements would you instill if elected as Sheriff?-
I am very satisfied with what I understand the current level of training
and qualifications to be right now and as I indicated before, I believe
that responsible gun owners and CCW permit holders would agree that some
kind of continuing training should be a necessity for the Sheriff's
Office to offer, to ensure that every holder is safe and capable of
maintaining the weapon and dealing with potential situations where it
could be needed. You see, I come from the military background (just like
in Black Hawk Down, when the soldier points to his index finger and
says: "this is my safety sir!") and I am very comfortable with a level
of training which demonstrates the basic level of proficiency (I don't
expect a CCW holder to be a trained professional with a handgun, but I
do expect competency).
5. What restrictions should apply to CCW holders? Probably the hardest
question due to lack of information and research available. As I see it,
there are limited amounts of guidance on the subject of restrictions and
perhaps that is the right approach... Obviously the alcohol and drug
restrictions are important. Officers don't take our weapons to the bar,
neither should a CCW holder. I think that most of the restrictions
should be more guidelines for common sense and responsible weapons
handling rather than restrictions. A clear outlining of the laws
pertinent to domestic abuse, assault, drugs and alcohol and
case/scenario development may go further than any law mandated
restrictions which the state legislature could enact.
I hope that I have adequately answered your questions, and look forward
to your inquiries if I have not.
Tony Thompson
http://www.thompsonforsheriff.net
tony@thompsonforsheriff.net
Campaign Phone: 319-240-9980