Firearm Laws in Iowa

Iowa allows concealed carry without a permit under Iowa Code § 724.4. Anyone 21 or older who can legally own a gun can carry it concealed in public. This started in July 2021. You can get a Permit to Carry Weapons for reciprocity. You need to be 21, pass a background check, and pay a fee. You can't carry in schools or state buildings (Iowa Code § 724.4A). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 2 years) or felony (up to 7 years).

Costs: Permit fee is $50 for 5 years. Total: $50.

Processing Time: Takes 30 days.

Renewal: Permit lasts 5 years. Renewal is $25.

Reciprocity: Iowa honors permits from all states. Over 30 states accept Iowa's permit.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Iowa allows open carry without a permit under Iowa Code § 724.4. Anyone 21 or older who can own a gun can carry it openly in public. You can't carry in schools or state buildings (Iowa Code § 724.4A). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 2 years).

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Iowa has few bans on guns. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are legal (Iowa Code § 724.1). Silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and machine guns are okay if you follow federal rules (Iowa Code § 724.1A). This means you need to register these items with the ATF, the federal agency that controls them, and pay a tax. Ghost guns don't need serial numbers under state law. Breaking federal rules is a felony (up to 10 years in prison).

Costs: The federal tax stamp for silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, or machine guns is $200 per item.

Processing Time: Applying for federal approval through the ATF for a silencer, short-barreled rifle/shotgun, or machine gun takes 6-12 months.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4]

Iowa follows FOPA (18 U.S.C. § 926A). Guns must be unloaded and locked in a case or trunk to travel through. Iowa allows permitless carry in vehicles (Iowa Code § 724.4). You can't carry in schools or state buildings (Iowa Code § 724.4A). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 2 years).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4]

Iowa has no state permit to buy guns. You must be 21 for handguns or 18 for rifles and shotguns (Iowa Code § 724.15). Dealers do a federal background check. No waiting period. Private sales need a permit for handguns. Breaking this is a felony (up to 7 years).

Costs: Handgun permit is $50. Background check is free. Total: $0-$50.

Processing Time: Permit takes 30 days. Check is instant, up to 3 days if delayed.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Iowa does not require gun registration (Iowa Code § 724.4). You don't have to report lost or stolen guns. Federal rules apply to machine guns (Iowa Code § 724.1A). Breaking federal rules is a felony (up to 10 years).

Costs: Federal tax stamp is $200.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Iowa has no storage laws. It's illegal to give a gun to a kid under 14 if they might hurt someone (Iowa Code § 724.22). Breaking this is a misdemeanor (up to 2 years) or felony (up to 7 years) if harm happens.

Sources: [1] [2]

Iowa has a strong Castle Doctrine under Iowa Code § 704.1. You can use deadly force in your home or car if someone breaks in and you feel threatened. No retreat is needed. This applies in public too (Iowa Code § 704.3). Too much force can mean manslaughter (up to 10 years).

Sources: [1] [2] [3]