Relating to the issuance, denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit to carry weapons and a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers

This bill relates to the issuance, denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit to carry weapons and a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers. Current law provides that the issuing officer (county sheriff or commissioner of public safety) shall issue a permit to carry weapons to an applicant unless the applicant does not meet certain requirements of Code chapter 724 (weapons).F. The bill allows the issuing officer to deny the issuance of a permit to carry weapons at the discretion of the issuing officer even if the applicant meets the other requirements of Code chapter 724. The bill allows the issuing officer to suspend or revoke a permit to carry weapons if the issuing officer determines the conditions for the issuance of the permit to carry weapons no longer exist.15. The bill allows the issuing officer to deny the issuance of a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers at the discretion of the issuing officer. The bill strikes language that requires the issuing officer to reinstate a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers if the suspension of the permit is based upon an arrest or proceeding that does not result in a disqualifying conviction or finding against the permit holder. Under current law, when a person appeals the decision by the issuing officer to deny an application for a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers or appeals the decision to suspend or revoke a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers, and it is later determined on appeal that the person is eligible to be issued or possess a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers, the person shall be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees, and if the person loses or withdraws such an appeal, the government shall be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The bill strikes the provision relating to awarding court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in an appeal for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers but does not modify the provision allowing for such an appeal.F.19 (issuance of permit to acquire pistols or revolvers).