Gun laws in Iowa govern the possession, sale, transfer, and usage of firearms and ammunition in the state. In 2011, Iowa became a “Shall Issue” state and issues concealed carry permits so residents can carry guns with them all around the state. Iowa honors every other state’s permits but if you are a resident you cannot carry unless you have an Iowa state permit. You need to apply for and have a Permit To Acquire (PTA) before purchasing a gun in Iowa. These are supplied by the local sheriff’s office, and when applying, you will need to undergo a background check and fingerprinting. You need to have a PTA when purchasing from a dealer or a private seller. You can get one in a little as three days, and they are good for five years. The only exception to needing one is when purchasing an antique handgun made before 1898. If you already have an Iowa Permit To Carry (PTC), it can be used to buy a gun in place of the PTA. Both are good for five years. All automatic weapons are illegal in Iowa.
State CCW Quick Facts
Shall IssueState gun policy
Yes/No – Without a Permit/LicenseOpen Carry Permitted
NoConstitutional Carry
Yes – In Restaurants That Serve AlcoholCarry In Restaurants
Yes/No – Without a Permit/LicenseCarry In Vehicle
Residents/Non-residentsLicense issued to
33# of states that honor Iowa license
53# of state licenses that Iowa honors
5 Yearslicense is valid
50$ cost of the license
18Minimum age for license permit
Iowa’s policy is Shall Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: state parks, state and national forests, road side rest areas, vehicle, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.
IA CCW Reciprocity Map
The states that honor an Iowa gun permit for residents are:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The states that honor an Iowa gun permit for non-residents are:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Iowa honors permits from these states and territories:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, New York City, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Permit honored
Permit not honored
Issuing state
Iowa Concealed Carry Laws and Permit
The Iowa Department of Public Safety issues concealed carry permits. Applications are processed through local county sheriff’s offices. It takes about 30 days to process for you to receive your license. There is no law requiring you to notify an officer if you are carrying in Iowa. You do not have to observe any “no weapons” signs either. If you have a permit, you can conceal carry in your vehicle. If you do not, the gun must be unloaded and locked in a case in the trunk of your car. Although open carry is legal in Iowa with a permit, it is not common. You can take your firearms into restaurants and bars that serve alcohol. You may also conceal or open carry in state parks and wildlife preserves.
CCW Eligibility: Qualify or Pre-Qualify?
Iowa is a “Shall Issue” state, and they offer two types of permits, non-professional and professional. The non-professional license is for residents, and the profession is for non-residents and security guards. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a professional permit and 21 for a non-professional. You cannot have any felony convictions or pending charges against you. You must also complete a firearms training course. You cannot be convicted of any violent offenses or have any outstanding warrants. You must also qualify based on federal regulations.
Iowa Gun Background Check
Iowa is different than most states as it is a “partial point of sale” state where county sheriff’s and the Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) performs background checks for PTAs and concealed carry permits. Gun dealers contact the FBI directly and use the NCIS system for long gun purchases. County sheriffs perform background checks when residents apply for their Permit To Acquire (PTA) before they can visit a gun dealership and purchase a firearm.
Must be at least 18 years of age for a Professional permit.
Must be at least 21 years of age for a Non-Professional permit.
You must complete a firearms training course.
You have no pending charges.
You have no felony convictions.
You have no outstanding arrest warrants.
You have not been convicted in any court within the previous three years of a serious or aggravated misdemeanor not involving a firearm or explosives for which the court could have imprisoned you for more than one year, even if you received a shorter sentence including probation.
There is no probable cause to believe you may likely to use a weapon unlawfully or in such other manner as would endanger the person’s self or others based on your actions in the last two years.
Federal law requirements
Application
Decide on what permit you want;
Non-Professional, issued by the Sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence
Professional, issued by the Department of Public Safety
Complete a firearms training course.
Download the application under the FORMS tab or pickup from your Sheriffs office.
You will need the following documents;
Photocopy of firearms training certificate
Drivers license
Completed application form
Apply in person at your local county Sheriffs office.
You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
Renewal
For a renewal applicant, Iowa law no longer requires training to occur within the previous 12 months prior of expiration. Renewal applications must be submitted no more than 30 days prior to expiration date, but no longer than 30 days after expiration date. A valid nonprofessional permit to carry expires 5 years after date of issue.
The renewal fee is 25$.
Iowa CCW License Fee information
Permit type
Fees when getting a new permit
Renewal
Current license amendment
Fingerprint scan fee
Fee for firearm classes
Additional state fees
Permit to acquire handguns
Varies by county (generally $5-$11)
Fee not specified in statutes
Permit to carry handguns
$50.00
$25.00
$89.00
Duplicate: $25.00
NOTE: Sheriff’s Offices that offer wallet size permit cards typically charge an additional fee (generally $5.00) to defray the cost of producing the permit cards.
Places Where You Can & Can’t Carry a Gun in Iowa
Allowed
Forbidden
State parks
Weapons Free Zones
State and national forests
Public or private schools, colleges
Road side rest areas
School bus
Vehicle
Public parks
All areas of the state not listed as Forbidden
Casino
Iowa state fairgrounds
Campus of the three state universities
State buildings on the capitol complex
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law
Iowa CCW Contact
Iowa Bureau of Firearms
Hours
Monday – Friday:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Contact
Address:
Department of Public Safety Building 215 East 7th Street, 4th Floor
City:
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone:
(515) 725-6230
CCW Licensing Offices in Iowa
Adair County Sheriff Office
Office Address 302 East Iowa Street Greenfield, Iowa 50849