Gavin Howe
Iowa's gun laws are more lenient than those of other states. As of July 1, 2021, Iowa is a permitless carry state for both open carry and concealed carry for anyone at least 21 years old. Iowa still issues Permits to Carry Weapons (PCW), for reciprocity purposes, and certain professions that justify being armed, such as law enforcement officers, are issued professional carry permits. Iowa's gun laws include regulations on how guns may be carried visibly in public, barring open carry in certain areas, and prohibiting the sale of gun magazines larger than a prescribed size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Concealed carry | Legal with a CCW permit; Iowa is a "permitless carry" state for anyone over 21 |
| Open carry | Legal with a CCW permit; Iowa is a "permitless carry" state for anyone over 21 |
| Minimum age for non-professional permits | 21 |
| Minimum age for professional permits | 18 |
| Training requirements | Firearm safety training course that has been state-approved |
| Reciprocity | Iowa recognizes permits from all states and jurisdictions |
| Castle Doctrine state | Yes |
| "Stand your ground" state | Yes |
| Firearm restrictions | Machine guns are illegal, with exceptions for law enforcement and the military; possession of firearm suppressors (silencers), short-barrelled shotguns, or short-barrelled rifles is illegal if not compliant with federal law |
| Firearm sales | Officials can deny sales if the buyer poses a danger; sales cannot proceed while a background check is ongoing |
| Firearm storage | Must be locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances |
| Firearm reporting | Gun owners must notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen |
| Dangerous weapons | Non-firearm dangerous weapons may be carried openly without a permit |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa is a permitless carry state
To qualify for a PCW, an individual must complete a firearms training course that has been state-approved. This can include a law enforcement agency firearms training course, a handgun safety training course offered by a law enforcement agency or other approved body, or a hunter education program approved by the Iowa Natural Resource Commission. For renewal of a permit, the same training program requirements apply, or the applicant may choose to qualify on a firing range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or certain other firearms training certifying bodies, such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
Iowa law also addresses the carrying of firearms by law enforcement officers, including retired officers. Any police firearms instructor approved by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) can qualify retired law enforcement officers, who receive a card indicating their current qualification.
It is important to note that Iowa has no State Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. However, the Iowa Constitution does guarantee certain inalienable rights, including "defending life" and "protecting property." As such, Iowa affirms the right to bear arms as a fundamental individual right and subjects any restrictions on this right to strict scrutiny.
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Law enforcement training courses
Since July 1, 2021, Iowa has been a permitless carry state, meaning anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. Iowa still issues Permits to Carry Weapons (PCW) for reciprocity purposes, and the state recognises permits from all states and jurisdictions. Iowa also allows the use of a nonprofessional permit to carry weapons while working at a job that requires carrying weapons, although an employer may require an Iowa professional permit as a condition of employment.
PoliceOne Academy offers over 1,500 online courses and videos, training workflows, and skills development tracking for law enforcement training. Their content can be delivered during roll call training, field training, or in a self-paced format to individuals or groups.
Additionally, Iowa-specific training requirements include the completion of handgun safety training courses offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of a law enforcement or security enforcement agency approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Renewal of a permit requires the completion of the same training program as for a new permit, or the applicant may choose to qualify on a firing range under the supervision of a certified instructor.
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Carrying a firearm in public
Iowa has some of the most lenient gun laws in the United States. As of July 1, 2021, Iowa is a permitless carry state, meaning anyone over the age of 21 can carry a firearm in public without a permit. However, there are certain limitations to this law. For example, Iowa still prohibits the open carry of handguns in the capitol building and its surrounding areas, including state parking lots and garages, as well as the state laboratories facility in Ankeny. Additionally, Iowa continues to issue Permits to Carry Weapons (PCW) for reciprocity purposes, and residents can still obtain a Permit to Acquire Pistols and Revolvers or a Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons by applying through their local sheriff's office.
Iowa's gun laws also allow school employees to carry firearms on school grounds with the approval of their school district and after completing all permit training requirements. The state also issues professional carry permits to law enforcement officers, private investigators, and security guards. These permits are also available to retired law enforcement officers who complete an approved firearms training course.
Iowa does have some restrictions on gun ownership and usage. Buyers must pass a background check and be of legal age to purchase a firearm. They cannot have a felony conviction or fall under any other legal prohibitions for possession. While Iowa does not ban assault weapons, machine guns are illegal, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and the military. The state also bars the purchase of gun magazines larger than a prescribed size and requires new handgun models to include microstamping technology. Iowa also allows officials to deny sales if the buyer poses a danger and to prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns through a court order.
Iowa's gun laws have undergone significant changes in recent years. In 2021, the state legislature eliminated its permit-to-purchase and concealed carry permitting requirements. This change in the law led to an increase in gun deaths in the state, with a disproportionate impact on Black people, who are more likely to die by gun homicide than white people. Despite this, Iowa continues to expand firearm rights, with the recent passage of Senate File 106, which allows the carry of loaded firearms while operating all-terrain vehicles.
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Concealed carry laws
As of July 1, 2021, Iowa is a permitless carry state, allowing anyone over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without a license or permit. Iowa still issues Permits to Carry Weapons (PCW) for reciprocity purposes, and for those who want a permit for Brady exemptions, or any other reason.
To obtain a PCW, an individual must complete a firearms training course that has been state-approved. This can include a law enforcement agency firearms training course, or a handgun safety training course offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or other firearms training certifying bodies such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. For renewal of a permit, the same training requirements apply, or the applicant may choose to qualify on a firing range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or similar.
Iowa's Commissioner of Public Safety maintains a record of all valid permits to carry weapons and of current permit revocations. Permits must contain the name of the permittee and the effective date of the permit, but not the permittee's social security number, address, or information about the weapon. The issuing permit officers are required to keep confidential all personally identifiable information of holders of permits.
Iowa recognizes permits from all states and jurisdictions, and also recognizes licenses issued by other states, as long as the license holder is not an Iowa resident. Iowa is a Castle Doctrine state and a "stand your ground" state.
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Iowa's Commissioner of Public Safety
Iowa is a permitless carry state, meaning anyone over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, the state does issue Permits to Carry Weapons (PCW), and certain professions, such as private security officers, may be required to have a professional permit to carry as a condition of employment.
The Commissioner's Office includes the Executive Officer to the Commissioner, Executive Secretary, Legal Counsel, and Legislative Liaison. The staff in the Commissioner's Office act as liaisons between Iowans, members of the media, legislators, and Department personnel. They field inquiries from citizens and the media, collaborate with local law enforcement and fire agencies, and assist other state government branches and departments.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state's primary law enforcement agency, providing public safety services with leadership, integrity, and professionalism. The department houses seven divisions:
- Iowa State Patrol
- Division of Criminal Investigation
- Division of Narcotics Enforcement
- Division of Intelligence & Fusion Center
- Division of Professional Development & Support Services
- State Fire Marshal Division
- Administrative Services Division
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Frequently asked questions
Law enforcement officers are required to complete a firearms training course to qualify to carry a firearm. Iowa is a permitless carry state, so anyone over 21 can carry a firearm without a permit, but a permit is required to carry a firearm within city limits.
To obtain an Iowa professional or nonprofessional permit to carry weapons, an applicant must complete a law enforcement agency firearms training course or a handgun safety training course.
No, there is no law in Iowa that requires an adult to carry an ID with them at all times. However, it is probably a good idea to carry an ID in Iowa as it is a stop and search state.
Iowa has a concealed carry permitting system. Law enforcement officers can obtain a permit if they are not prohibited under state criteria from obtaining one.
