About the Iowa Concealed Carry Permit: Applications are through the Sheriff’s Office of the county of residence except for a professional permit (carrying for employment purposes) which is through the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Age Requirement: 21 years of older for a non-professional permit and 18 for a professional permit.
Validity: Permit is valid for 5 years after which it must be renewed.
Cost: Cost is $50 for a new concealed weapons permit and $25 for a renewal
Acceptable Training: Must take an approved concealed carry course for Iowa. There is no range or live fire requirement. The course online here at: https://www.mycarrypermit.com/ is accepted in every county in Iowa for both initial permit and renewal. Training is valid for any period of time before initial application and for 12 months prior to renewal application.
Reciprocity: There are currently 36 states that you may carry in with an Iowa Resident Non-Professional Permit to Carry Weapons. However, please remember that while traveling you must follow the specific laws in each state you travel through.
Non-Resident Iowa Permit: Extremely rare unless the permit is for your profession. Otherwise you must be able to demonstrate a viable threat to yourself or your family.
Places Off-Limits even with a Permit/License: City or County property with posted sign, in, on or within 1000 feet of a school (except unloaded and securely encased in vehicle), in a public park, in a casino, in state buildings on the capital complex, State Fair Grounds, and Colleges and Universities
Do “No Gun Signs” Hold Force of Law: NO. “No firearm” signs in Iowa have no force of law unless they are posted on property mentioned (above) in state law as off limits or posted on city or county owned property. If you carry into a place not mentioned in the law that is posted (or not posted with a sign) and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave, then you are trespassing and can be charged with that offense.
Contact with Law Enforcement: If an officer asks for your permit/license to carry, you must present it to them or you may be charged with a misdemeanor.
State Areas: Carry in Iowa with a permit is allowed in State Parks, State and National Forests, State Preserves and Road side rest areas.
Car Carry Without a Permit/License: Firearm must be unloaded AND “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”
Open Carry: Open Carry is legal in Iowa but with many restrictions. If you plan on open carrying in Iowa we recommend you carefully read Iowa 724 statutes.
Iowa Residency: You may apply for a Resident Iowa permit to carry weapons upon establishing residency. Residency is considered established any time after obtaining an Iowa state ID or Driver’s License.
Where to find more information: We recommend going straight to the source, State Firearm Laws: Title 16-724.1 thru 724.30 & Iowa Admin Code 661-91.1 thru 661-91.9 and State Deadly Force Laws: Title 16-704.1 thru 704.12
