Effective today, these licenses are no longer being issued by three-member county boards. It is now the job of county clerks. State police will conduct checks to see whether applicants are legally disqualified because of their age, criminal history, mental illness or other factors. The change is the latest step to make the state a true shall-issue state, meaning a permit has to be issued as long as the applicant has taken a gun safety course, has no felony convictions and meets all other requirements. The measure eliminates the ability to deny a license to someone not explicitly disqualified by law, but who still might pose a safety risk. The National Rifle Association says the new law will eliminate licensing delays and do away with arbitrary license denials.
