DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The names of Iowans with permits to acquire or carry guns would become private information under legislation proposed by a Republican lawmaker. Rep. Matt Windschitl, of Missouri Valley, sponsored the bill, which was debated by a House subcommittee Tuesday. Currently the names of permit holders are a public record. Windschitl says he was concerned that public permit information could put Iowans in danger by leading criminals to guns or giving them information to target homes without guns.

The state Department of Public Safety says about 144,000 Iowans have permits to carry a firearm. Statewide data was not available on the number of permits issued annually to allow people to buy handguns. A lobbyist for the Iowa Newspaper Association argued against the measure, saying that government actions should be publicized.