Iowa State Law Summary

Last updated November 2, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas.  Iowa ranked 13th out of 50 – having enacted a modest number of gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Iowa:

• Requires an annual permit to acquire a handgun, involving a background check and a three-day waiting period;

• Requires the surrender of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and by persons subject to domestic violence protective orders (pursuant to a law enacted in 2010);

• Requires the reporting of mentally ill individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms to the database used for background checks (another 2010 law); and

• Imposes child access prevention requirements upon gun owners.

Iowa does not, however:

• Require a person who is purchasing a long gun from an unlicensed individual to undergo a background check;

• Require firearms dealers to obtain a state license;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Prohibit the possession and transfer of assault weapons, large capacity ammunition magazines or 50 caliber rifles;

• Require firearm owners to report the loss or theft of a firearm; or

• Allow local governments in the state to regulate firearms.

In addition, pursuant to a law enacted in 2010, Iowa no longer affords local law enforcement discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

In 2007 (the last year for which data is available), Iowa had the eighth lowest number of gun deaths per capita among the states. Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Iowa supplies less crime guns per capita than the national average.  However, Iowa exports slightly more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Iowa, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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