Do You Need To Register A Rifle In Iowa

Terminal Updated: June 17, 2017

Disclaimer: While the information provided here is legal in nature, it is not to exist construed as legal advice, and is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

With tons of gun laws at the federal and state levels, it can get disruptive trying to keep track of the ones that affect you and your gun rights.

Fortunately, every bit a resident of Iowa, there are simply a few laws that yous'll need to worry about to make sure y'all stay on the right side of the law.

This guide volition get over everything you lot demand to know about how to buy a gun and exist a responsible gun owner!

While it's non as easy as walking into your local gun store and picking ane upwardly in 5 minutes,, the process of buying a gun in Iowa is a relatively painless process.

Pocket rockets!

Buying handguns requires you lot to jump through a few more hoops than with long guns, probably because they are the easiest to comport around, especially if you have a concealed acquit allow.

To buy a handgun, you must:

Be 21 or older;
Accept a permit to buy handguns;

Easy, right? Not really. Getting the permit itself, a Permit to Learn (PTA) requires a few steps, and includes a background cheque, which is why the actual purchase procedure itself does not require one.

To get a PTA, you'll need to apply to the sheriff of county where y'all alive, and provide a photo ID, such as a Commuter's License. Once you fill out the application and provide any other data they need, similar fingerprints, etc., the Sheriff's Role volition practice a country and federal background check, and give yous your let!

Keep in listen, a purchase permit is required whether you are buying from your local gun shop or through a private private.

But wait!

There are restrictions that may prevent you from getting a permit though. You lot will be denied a let if you:

Are under 21;
Accept been convicted of a felony or adjudicated delinquent based on behave that would exist considered a felony if committed by an adult;
Are subject field to a protective gild or have been convicted of a misdemeanor for domestic violence;
Are prohibited by federal police force from shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm.

If none of those conditions apply to you, keen! Yous'll get your permit correct away, and it can be used every bit soon every bit 3 days later on you go it, but is only good for ane year.

That's not all…

There are situations where you do non need a PTA! A purchase permit is non required if:

You are purchasing an antiquarian handgun, a handgun that is non capable of beingness readily restored to a firing status, or a handgun designated a collector'southward particular by the Commissioner of Public Prophylactic (basically annihilation made before 1899);
The transfer is between you and your parents, grandparents, siblings, or children; or
You have a valid carry allow.

What about the children??

If yous're under 21, not to worry! In that location are certain situations where you can still buy and own a handgun even if you are under 21 simply meet all the other requirements.

If y'all are 18 or older, you can possess a handgun if:

You are military, police, corrections, or a security guard, and your chore requires y'all to have a handgun;
You are receiving instructions on firearms utilize from an teacher who is 21 or older.

If you're not 18 nonetheless, that'south ok also! A person who is at to the lowest degree 14 years old, can have a handgun if:

A parent, guardian, or spouse(!) who is 21 or older gives permission to use the handgun, nether the supervision of the parent, guardian, or spouse;
A parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 or older gives permission for instruction on firearm use by someone who is 21 or older.

Father teaching daughter shooting — Never too young to start learning

Don't forget about long guns!

Compared to buying a handgun, getting a long gun is a breeze! No permit is required to purchase a burglarize or shotgun. None! That doesn't mean there are no requirements though.

To purchase a long gun, you must:

Be eighteen or older;
Present a valid photo ID;
Have a background bank check performed past a licensed firearms dealer.

While at that place however is a groundwork bank check, information technology'due south definitely much easier than buying a handgun. And if you are purchasing the long gun through a private sale, y'all can avoid the background bank check completely!

Kids like rifles also!

Similar with handguns, in that location are exceptions for anyone who does non run across the age requirements for buying and owning a long gun.

As long as you take permission from a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 18 or older, you lot can own a long gun!

Showin' off the goods

One time you get that handgun, y'all'll probably desire to show it off. Be careful where yous bring information technology though!

While open carry is allowed, if you are within city limits, you lot must accept a carry permit in order to bear either open or curtained. Outside of the urban center, you can open comport as long as you are legally allowed to own the gun!

For those of you interested in being able to conduct effectually town, check out our defended Iowa CCW section to observe out all the steps to getting that permit.

Scout where you're going!

Even if yous aren't carrying your handgun around, you lot still need to be careful about how to transport it in the auto if you're going to or from the range.

When transporting a gun in a vehicle, the gun must be taken downward, or placed in a securely fastened case, with the magazine and sleeping room empty.

Rifle packed in case — Unloaded, nothing in the sleeping accommodation, empty mag

When can y'all really employ your firearms?

With restrictions on transporting and carrying firearms, information technology seems like in that location aren't also many situations where you can fifty-fifty actually use your guns. Luckily, Iowa has laws to permit you to actually protect yourself!

Castle Doctrine

Iowa has always followed what is known as the "Castle Doctrine", which allows yous to protect your "castle", or dwelling house.

Yous are allowed to employ reasonable force, including mortiferous strength, if it is reasonable to believe that strength is required to foreclose injury or risk to your life or safety, or to forestall injury or take chances to the life or condom of someone else.

If someone is illegally entering or domicile or trying to kidnap someone from your dwelling house, you are justified in using mortiferous strength to stop that person.

It's also of import to keep in heed that the "castle doctrine" applies in your abode, place of business, or occupied vehicle (if you lot're in your auto, RV, boat, etc.).

Standing your footing

Having followed the castle doctrine for years, Iowa has recently also expanded its self-defense laws to include a "stand your ground" policy.

Basically, as long as you are non engaged in illegal activity yourself, you do not have a duty to retreat from anywhere you have a legal correct to be, before using deadly strength if you have a reasonable belief it is necessary to preclude risk of injury, or risk to the life or safety of yourself or others.

Just remember…

Even with these laws permitting cocky-defence, it is of import to keep in heed that just because you are justified in using deadly forcefulness does not mean it is required.Always use your all-time judgement to decide what blazon of forcefulness is appropriate, or if it is necessary to stand up your basis, when retreating may be the safer pick for you and others around you.

Fin!

And with that, we're done! You now know everything there is to know about gun laws in Iowa! Well, except for the carry laws. Only we've got got you covered with our Iowa CCW department, so become bank check it out!

If y'all don't need to know about the carry allow laws just yet, that's ok also! You can work on your gun collection instead! Yous might want a dainty safe to keep all your new toys though. A sturdy prophylactic can as well keep your guns from prying eyes and curious kids.

If you lot desire to start smaller (simply why?), a gun cabinet, or even just a decent handgun prophylactic may be a skillful investment, so all those rifles can take a quiet place to residue after a busy twenty-four hours at the range.