Iowa Gun Laws
Iowa has some restrictive gun laws in place, but is generally more permissive than many states in the nation. Not all firearms purchases require background checks, and there are no laws requiring that firearms be registered with the state government. As a ‘shall issue’ state, obtaining a concealed carry license in Iowa is fairly simple. Despite some instances of tight regulation, Iowa generally protects the 2nd Amendment rights of its citizens.
Iowa Gun Laws at a Glance
| Concealed Carry Premit Required | Yes |
| Open Carry Premitted | Yes, with license |
| Waiting period before purchasing | None |
| Lost and Stolen Firearm Reporting | None |
| Firearms License Required for Purchasing | Yes for Handguns |
| Universal Background Check | Yes for Handguns |
| Firearm Registration | No |
| Large Capacity Magazine Ban | No |
Firearm License Requirements
Any person seeking to acquire a handgun in Iowa must obtain a five-year handgun permit.
Background Checks
Background checks are conducted on all transfers of firearms through licensed dealers in Iowa. County sheriffs conduct background checks for five-year handgun permits and concealed carry licenses. The Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) performs these checks for state employees and non-residents.
Private transfers require that both parties obtain five-year handgun permits, which do require background checks.
The FBI directly performs NICS checks for all long gun purchases, in order to enforce federal long gun purchaser prohibitions
Gun Shows
Iowa law does not specifically regulate gun shows.
Hardware and Ammunition Restrictions
| Hardware | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Assault Weapons | Iowa law does not specifically reference assault weapons. However, any person that “sells or offers for sale a manual or power-driven trigger activating device constructed and designed so that when attached to a firearm increases the rate of fire of the firearm is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.” |
| 50 Caliber Rifles | Iowa does not regulate 50 caliber rifles. |
| Machine Guns | Iowa prohibits private persons from owning machine guns. |
| Large Capacity Magazines | Iowa does not regulate magazine capacity. |
| Ammunition | owa prohibits any person from selling or transferring handgun ammo to anyone under 21. A parent, guardian, or spouse over the age of 21 may allow a minor to possess handgun ammunition while under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or spouse who is over 21 years old. |
Prohibited Persons
Iowa prohibits any person from having a firearm if he or she has been convicted of a felony. In order to obtain a handgun in Iowa, a person must possess a valid annual permit to acquire handguns. These permits may not be issued to anyone who is:
- Under the age of 21
- Is subject to any type of firearms control prohibitions
- Is prohibited by federal law from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving any firearms
Prohibited Places
| Location | Restrictions | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | Iowa prohibits any person from possessing any firearms on the grounds of a public or non-public school. | This doest not apply to any person:
|
| Vehicles | Iowa prohibits any person from carrying or transporting a handgun in a vehicle. | This does not apply if: The person is transporting an unloaded handgun inside a closed and fastened container that is too large to be concealed. The person has a valid permit to carry and the conduct is within the limits established by the permit. The vehicle is a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle. |
| Public Courthouses | Prohibited. | None. |
| Locations and events selling alcohol | Permitted. | Unless posted. |
Concealed Carry Laws
| Notify Officer | No |
| “No Gun” Signs | Not Enforced |
| In-Vehicle Carry | Permitted with license |
| Restaurant Carry | Permitted |
| State Park Carry | Permitted |
| While Hunting | Permitted with license |
Obtaining a Concealed Carry License
Iowa is a “shall issue” state. This means that the governing body must issue a concealed carry permit to a given applicant if certain qualifications are met.
| Requirements for a Concealed Carry License |
|---|
| To obtain a concealed carry license in Iowa, an applicant must: Be at least 18 years of age Complete a firearms training course Not be addicted to alcohol Have no pending charges, felony convictions, or outstanding arrest warrants Not be subject to firearm possession, receipt, transportation, or control restrictions Not have been convicted within the previous three years of a serious or aggravated misdemeanor that is imprisonable by a term of one year or greater Not have probable cause to use a weapon unlawfully or in a manner that would endanger the person’s self or others Meet all federal law requirements |
Concealed Carry Firearms Training
Any concealed carry firearms applicants must complete any of the following in either a live or web-based format:
A National Rifle Association handgun safety training course A handgun safety training course offered by certified instructors and available to the general public Any handgun safety training course offered for security personnel that has been approved by the Department of Public Safety Small arms training while serving with the Armed Forces Any law enforcement agency firearms training course Any hunter education program including handgun training, approved by the Iowa Natural Resource Commission
Concealed Carry Location Restrictions
Even with a valid concealed carry license, you may not possess any concealed firearms:
- In weapons-free zones within 1000 feet of any public or private elementary or secondary school property
- On school buses
- On any campus or at a university-authorized-function at any of the three Iowa State Universities
- In any courthouses
- In any casinos
- At the Iowa State Fair
- Anywhere while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Any place firearms are prohibited by state or federal law
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information. Gun laws can change frequently, especially at the state and local levels. Application of gun laws can be unique to an individual’s situation. We recommend that each individual consult with a competent and qualified legal professional before purchasing, transporting, or using any firearm or firearm-related product.