Iowa Department of Public Safety
Carry Eligibility Quiz
Use this form to determine if you are eligible to carry a firearm in
the State of Iowa.
Are you at least 21 years of age?
Are you a U.S. citizen?
Are you in the U.S. legally?
Are you a lawful PERMANENT resident?
Are you a nonimmigrant alien WITH a visa?
Do you possess a valid hunting license from any jurisdiction in the U.S.?
Do you have pending felony charges?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
Have you ever been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult?
Have you ever been convicted of an offense involving a firearm or explosive that is classified as a misdemeanor and is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment (such as an Iowa aggravated misdemeanor)?
Have you been convicted within the past three years of an aggravated misdemeanor OR serious misdemeanor offense under Iowa Code Ch. 708, including but not limited to assault, intimidation, harassment, hazing, or stalking?
Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?
Are you subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your intimate partner, your child, or the child of your intimate partner?
Are you currently under probation for a felony; misdemeanor punishable by more than one year of imprisonment involving a firearm or explosive; an aggravated or serious misdemeanor under Iowa Code Ch. 708 including but not limited to assault, intimidation, harassment, hazing, or stalking; or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?
Are you a fugitive from justice?
Have you been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces?
Have you ever renounced your citizenship?
Have you ever unlawfully used any controlled substance in the previous 12 months?
Are you currently addicted to the use of alcohol?
Has a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority ever found you to be a danger to yourself or others?
Has a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority ever ordered you to receive treatment for mental health reasons, or for other reasons, such as drug abuse?
Has a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority ever found you to be incompetent to conduct your affairs?
Have you ever been found incompetent to stand trial for any offense?
Results
A person needs to be at least 21 years old in order to acquire a handgun or obtain a Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons in Iowa. There are certain exemptions for a person who is 18, 19 or 20 years old and in possession of a Professional Permit to Carry Weapons while working in an occupation that requires the carrying of a firearm.
You are likely prohibited from carrying a firearm. If you have questions about your firearm eligibility you should seek legal advice from an attorney. You may also choose to complete the application process for a permit to acquire or a permit to carry through your local sheriff’s office. The issuance of either one of these permits would indicate a person can lawfully possess or carry a firearm in the State of Iowa. Reason why Iowans may still consider obtaining an Iowa permit to carry include:
- Allows Iowans to carry in states with permit reciprocity while traveling.
- May prevent potential delays resulting from a delayed NICS check when purchasing from a FFL.
- May clarify any questions an individual has regarding their eligibility to carry or possess firearms.
- May prevent legal issues associated with a person coming within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school without a state issued permit in violation 18 USC § 921(a)(25) and 18 USC § 922(q)(2).
Based on your answers, you are eligible to carry firearms in the State of Iowa. While permits are not necessary to carry weapons in the State of Iowa as of July 1, 2021, you may still apply for a nonprofessional permit to carry weapons through the Sheriff’s Office in your Iowa County of residence. Reason why Iowans may still consider obtaining an Iowa permit to carry include:
- Allows Iowans to carry in states with permit reciprocity while traveling.
- May prevent potential delays resulting from a delayed NICS check when purchasing from a FFL.
- May clarify any questions an individual has regarding their eligibility to carry or possess firearms.
- May prevent legal issues associated with a person coming within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a public, parochial, or private school without a state issued permit in violation 18 USC § 921(a)(25) and 18 USC § 922(q)(2).
You are prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm in Iowa.
You should clarify your immigrant or nonimmigrant status prior to carrying a firearm in Iowa.
This quiz is not intended to serve as legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you have questions regarding your
eligibility to carry dangerous weapons in Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety recommends obtaining a Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons in
order to help avoid potential legal issues associated with the unauthorized carrying of dangerous weapons.
