By Lori EhdeThe Rock County Sheriff’s Department is gearing up to handle permit requests resulting from the "Citizens Personal Protection Act" becoming a law. The new law, which goes into effect May 29, creates a uniform statewide standard for issuing concealed handgun permits.According to Sheriff Mike Winkels, about 200 handgun permits are issued in Rock County each year. He’s expecting about that many to request permits to carry those weapons.He approached Rock County Commissioners at their Tuesday meeting to report hardware needs resulting from the fact that photo identification will be issued from the law enforcement center.Winkels estimates it will cost about $650 to upgrade to a better digital camera and to purchase lamination equipment.The law requires those with concealed weapons to carry with them their permits and state photo identification. They will also need to attend and pass state certified handgun training classes.The application fee to request a permit is $75.People were able to apply for concealed weapons permits in Rock County before the bill was passed into law, but the most notable change is that now permits will be honored statewide, not just in certain areas.Winkels said another notable difference is that the new law takes away a significant amount of discretion from sheriffs in determining who should get a permit."I wished they’d left the discretion for sheriffs in there," Winkels said. "You can have a resident who’s a little unstable, and we used to deny them permits. Now we don’t have that discretion any more."The law still prohibits convicted felons, for example, from carrying a concealed weapon, but he said local law enforcement could deny a request for someone, simply on the grounds that he or she seemed unstable.Now, those same people would have to have records of commitment to mental institutions or current enrollment in chemical dependency programs to be denied. And, once those programs are successfully completed, they can be eligible for concealed weapons permits.For the most part, Winkels said he’s comfortable with the new law. "Most people in Rock County are good people," he said.He asked that interested Rock County residents wait until after June 1 to apply, since it will take that long for the Law Enforcement Center to be ready to handle applications.Sheriffs are given up to 30 days to check an applicant’s background and another five days to actually issue a permit.The bill prohibits carrying a weapon on school grounds and expands the definition of school property to include child-care facilities and other buildings used for school functions.Applicants must be United States citizens and they must receive firearms training every five years.Bill Burzlaff, Adrian, is offering a handgun safety class early in June. He’s a former police firearms instructor and former NRA police instructor. He currently works as the firearms safety instructor for the Department of Natural Resources.To register, Burzlaff can be reached at 360-9104 during the day, and 827-2154, other times. Cost is $125.The Rock County Sheriff’s Department has recognized his course as recommended training to meet criteria for the law.Rep. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) co-authored the Personal Protection Act, "(It) reflects the feelings of society, which approves of the right to bear arms," he said. "Allowing law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for protection respects their fundamental right of self defense."
