Iowa Gun Laws

Concealed & Open Carry

Iowa adopted constitutional carry under HF 756, effective July 1, 2021. Persons aged 21 and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is legal. Iowa continues to issue a Permit to Carry Weapons for reciprocity. Additionally, Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2022 explicitly protecting the right to keep and bear arms under strict scrutiny.

Key statute: Iowa Code § 724.4 — carrying weapons. As amended by HF 756, exempts eligible persons from the permit requirement.

Who Cannot Carry

Prohibited persons include: convicted felons, persons adjudicated as mentally ill, persons subject to protective orders, persons convicted of certain misdemeanors (including domestic abuse assault), persons under 21, and persons addicted to alcohol or controlled substances.

Prohibited Locations

Iowa prohibits carry in: schools and school grounds, the state capitol (with exceptions for permit holders), courthouses, and any location with posted prohibition. Iowa has strong state preemption under § 724.28.

Purchase Requirements

No permit is required to purchase a firearm (the former Permit to Acquire a Pistol requirement was eliminated by HF 756). All FFL sales require a NICS background check. Private sales do not require a background check. There is no waiting period, no state firearms registry, no assault weapons ban, and no magazine restriction.

Citations

Iowa Code Chapter 724 (weapons); HF 756 (2021); Iowa Constitution Article I, Section 1A (right to keep and bear arms, 2022 amendment).

Sources & official resources