Click here to view the Iowa Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.
Does Iowa issue concealed carry permits?
Yes, Iowa is a shall issue state, meaning the state is required to furnish a permit if you can pass a background check. Iowa only issues professional (required by employer) permits to non-residents. Please note that Iowa requires a permit to purchase a pistol from a FFL if you do not already own one through other means. A concealed weapons permit will also suffice for this purpose.
Who issues Iowa concealed weapon permits?
The sheriff of the county in which you reside.
What does an Iowa concealed carry permit look like?
Iowa Concealed Carry Permit
Are background checks required for an Iowa Concealed Weapon Permit?
Background checks are required when applying for an Iowa concealed carry permit and will qualify as a NICS (National Instant Criminal System) check which should exempt you from a background check for a firearm at a FFL.
The Iowa concealed weapon permit shall be valid throughout the state for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance.
What is the processing time for a Iowa concealed weapon permit?
Iowa concealed weapon permits are required by law to be approved or denied within 30 days.
How much does an Iowa concealed weapon permit cost?
The fee for a Iowa concealed weapon permit is $50.
No professional or nonprofessional permit to carry weapons shall be issued to a person who is subject to any of the following:
- 1. Is less than eighteen years of age for a professional permit or less than twenty-one years of age for a nonprofessional permit.
- 2. Is addicted to the use of alcohol.
- 3. Probable cause exists to believe, based upon documented specific actions of the person, where at least one of the actions occurred within two years immediately preceding the date of the permit application, that the person is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or in such other manner as would endanger the person’s self or others.
- 4. Is subject to the provisions of section 724.26 .
- 5. Has, within the previous three years, been convicted of any serious or aggravated misdemeanor defined in chapter 708 not involving the use of a firearm or explosive.
- 6. Is prohibited by federal law from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm.
What are the required documents when applying for a Iowa concealed weapon permit?
- Copy of Application for Permit to Carry Weapons – Click Here to Download the Iowa Concealed Carry Permit Application
- Check or money order of $50
- Identification card that bears a distinguishing number assigned to the cardholder, the full name, date of birth, sex, residence address, and a brief description and colored photograph of the cardholder.
- Proof of training such as:
- a . Completion of any national rifle association handgun safety training course.
- b . Completion of any handgun safety training course available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the national rifle association or the department of public safety or another state’s department of public safety, state police department, or similar certifying body.
- c . Completion of any handgun safety training course offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of a law enforcement or security enforcement agency approved by the department of public safety.
- d . Completion of small arms training while serving with the armed forces of the United States as evidenced by any of the following:
- (1) For personnel released or retired from active duty, possession of an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions.
- (2) For personnel on active duty or serving in one of the national guard or reserve components of the armed forces of the United States, possession of a certificate of completion of basic training with a service record of successful completion of small arms training and qualification.
- e . Completion of a law enforcement agency firearms training course that qualifies a peace officer to carry a firearm in the normal course of the peace officer’s duties.
How do I renew my Iowa concealed weapon permit and what is the cost?
You repeat the process for a new permit, with the exception of checking renewal on the form.
Renewal permits or duplicate permits shall be issued for a fee of $25, provided the application for such renewal permit is received by the issuing officer at least thirty days prior to the expiration of the applicant’s current permit.
Where should I go to renew your license?
Renewal applications should be submitted to the sheriff in the county in which you reside.
What items should you bring for license renewals?
Same items as for a new permit (see above).
How do I change my name or address on my Iowa concealed weapon permit?
Same process as original permit.
What do I do if my Iowa concealed weapon permit is lost or stolen?
Same process as original permit.
Do I need to inform law enforcement that I am carrying a concealed weapon?
You are not statutorily required to inform law enforcement you are carrying a weapon in the state of Iowa, but you must present your permit if requested.
What are the laws regarding a firearm in an automobile in Iowa without a carry permit?
A person who for any lawful purpose carries or transports an unloaded pistol or revolver in a vehicle inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the pistol or revolver will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.
What places are off-limits when carrying a concealed weapon in Iowa?
“weapons free zone” means the area in or on, or within one thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, or in or on the real property comprising a public park. A weapons free zone shall not include that portion of a public park designated as a hunting area under section 461A.4
1. A person who goes armed with, carries, or transports a firearm of any kind, whether
concealed or not, on the grounds of a school commits a class “D” felony. For the purposes of
this section, “school” means a public or nonpublic school as defined in section 280.2.
2. Subsection 1 does not apply to the following:
a. A person listed under section 724.4, subsection 4, paragraphs “b” through “f” or “j”.
b. A person who has been specifically authorized by the school to go armed, carry,
or transport a firearm on the school grounds, including for purposes of conducting an
instructional program regarding firearms.
491-5.4(6): Firearms possession within casino.
(2) The person is a peace officer possessing a valid peace officer permit to carry weapons who is employed by the licensee and who is authorized by the administrator to possess such pistol or firearm while acting on behalf of the licensee within that casino.
a. A peace officer as defined in Iowa Code section 801.4 or a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard, when the person’s duties or lawful activities require or permit possession of a dangerous weapon. b. A person possessing a valid Iowa professional permit to carry a weapon whose duties require that person to carry a dangerous weapon.
c. A person who possesses a dangerous weapon for any purpose authorized by a state agency to further the statutory or regulatory responsibilities of that agency. An authorization issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not become effective until it has been issued in writing to the person or persons to whom it applies and until copies of the authorization have been received by the director and by the commissioner of public safety.
d. Members of recognized military veterans organizations performing honor guard service as provided in 2001 Iowa Acts, chapter 96, section
The carrying or possession by any person other than a peace officer of any weapon, such as a dirk, dagger, hunting knife, buck knife, switch blade, or any knife with a blade of three inches in length or longer, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, pellet or BB gun, blackjack, billy club or any other weapon is prohibited on the fairgrounds unless authorized by the board. Failure to comply with this rule shall be cause for expulsion from the fairgrounds or being charged under Iowa Code chapter 724. Kitchen knives and others purchased at the fair must be wrapped and not concealed.
What are the laws regarding alcohol and a concealed weapon in Iowa?
Establishments serving alcohol are not off-limits. Having an “addiction to alcohol” would invalidate your permit though.
Additionally your permit is invalid:
- 1) while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or other drug or a combination of such substances,
- 2) while having an alcohol concentration of .08 or more, or
- 3) while any amount of a controlled substance is present in the person, as measured in the person’s blood or urine.
Does Iowa have a Stand Your Ground law aka Castle Doctrine?
Technically no as it is weak. See Iowa code 724.
“Reasonable force” is that force and no more which a reasonable person, in like circumstances, would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury or loss and can include deadly force if it is reasonable to believe that such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to one’s life or safety or the life or safety of another, or it is reasonable to believe that such force is necessary to resist a like force or threat. Reasonable force, including deadly force, may be used even if an alternative course of action is available if the alternative entails a risk to life or safety, or the life or safety of a third party, or requires one to abandon or retreat from one’s dwelling or place of business or employment.
Does Iowa state have localities with varying laws?
This is in dispute as part of the 2011 change in law regarding shall-issue. Some localities are declaring themselves private businesses and using this as a method of banning weapons on municipal-owned property. There is no relevant case law on this topic, as of the time of writing. Use caution.
What are the laws regarding open carry in Iowa?
Open carry in Iowa is not restricted by state law with the exception of carrying in a vehicle or inside city limits. Carry permit holders may open carry anywhere that it is otherwise legal to have a firearm. This practice is not universally accepted and could attract attention from law enforcement.
