(Radio Iowa) – As of today (Thursday), Iowans no longer have to get a permit to purchase or carry a handgun, but will still have to undergo a background check when buying a handgun from a federally licensed gun dealer. Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson says he’s concerned some Iowans will mistake the new law to mean that everyone is allowed to carry a handgun. “If you have committed domestic violence and been convicted of that, if you have been convicted of a felony, if you have been adjudicated mentally ill, there are still restrictors that legally would prohibit you from being able to carry a weapon,” Thompson says.

The new state law makes it legal for Iowans to conduct private gun sales without permits or background checks, but they could be charged with a felony if they sell a gun to someone they know or should know is prohibited from having a gun. Thompson, who is the president of the Iowa Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association, says he hopes Iowans will continue to apply for permits through their sheriff’s office even though it’s now optional.  “What I am hoping is those folks that do recognize that there is value in having a quality background check done…they will continue to keep their permits,” Thompson says.

Permits help expedite gun sales — so background checks aren’t required for each purchase — and the Iowa permits allow legal travel with a gun in some other states. Republican legislators who advocated for getting rid of the permits said it was wrong to force Iowans to get permission slips for their constitutional right to bear arms. A recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll found 30 percent of Iowans support the new law, while 67 percent oppose it.

A black bear, approximately three-years of age who gained social media followers while wandering throughout the Midwest, has died. “Bruno” as he was known, was struck by a vehicle in Louisiana, causing his back legs to be broken. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the male bear had to be euthanized because he was paralyzed and dragging himself due to his spinal injuries. Biologists estimated that Bruno had been injured about a month before a homeowner in Morehouse Parish, which is on the Arkansas state line in northeastern Louisiana, called the department Tuesday, saying a bear wouldn’t leave the yard.

(File Photo) via Radio Iowa

Bruno had traveled in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri before getting cornered between two interstates and drawing a crowd of hundreds in Missouri. His journey had taken him 800 miles. Facebook fans tracked the bear south through Arkansas, as well. According to a woman who set up a Facebook page for Bruno, “Keeping Bruno Safe,” he was an odd bear who seemed to prefer farm fields and groves to forests, and never went for the easy pickings of trash cans and dumpsters. He never threatened humans.

Officers with the Marshalltown Police Department, Wednesday, arrested a teacher alleged inappropriate contact with a student. KCCI reports Police said they were previously investigating allegations of exploitation of a 17-year-old by 26-year-old Mark Edward Farris Esquivel. The man was taken into custody for sexual exploitation by a school employee. Esquivel was being held at the Marshall County Jail while awaiting his first appearance in court.

Marshalltown Police Chief Michael Tupper says Esquivel allegedly engaged in a pattern of conduct by communicating with a minor for the purpose of soliciting sexual contact. It is also alleged Esquivel committed the acts while employed as a teacher and coach, and that he knew the minor was under the age of 18.

The Marshalltown Community School District released a statement that said “The Marshalltown Community School District is aware of the arrest of a staff member announced today by the Marshalltown Police Department. The staff member, a P.E. teacher at Marshalltown High School, has submitted their resignation. Student safety is the number one priority for the Marshalltown CSD, and any accusation of a crime which may impact student safety is taken very seriously. This is an active investigation, and any questions should be directed toward the Marshalltown Police Department.”