All Laws Decoded

Taser and Stun Gun Laws in Iowa

The rules on tasers and stun guns in Iowa: who may own and carry them, where they are banned, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Iowa law counts a stun gun or Taser (a portable device that sends a high-voltage electric pulse designed to immobilize a person) as a "dangerous weapon." Iowa does not require a permit for adults to carry a dangerous weapon openly or concealed where carrying is otherwise lawful. Iowa Code §§ 702.7, 724.4, 724.4E(3), 724.5, 724.8A (Iowa Code 2026)

Tasers and stun gunsIowa law counts a stun gun or Taser (a portable device that sends a high-voltage electric pulse designed to immobilize a person) as a "dangerous weapon." Iowa does not require a permit for adults to carry a dangerous weapon openly or concealed where carrying is otherwise lawful. A minor who goes armed with a stun gun, concealed or not, commits a simple misdemeanor, and using any dangerous weapon while committing a crime is an aggravated misdemeanor. Iowa's public universities and community colleges may not ban non-projectile stun guns on campus, though they may bar people with felony convictions from having them there.
Source: Iowa Code §§ 702.7, 724.4, 724.4E(3), 724.5, 724.8A (Iowa Code 2026)

More Iowa criminal law

FAQ

Are Tasers and stun guns legal in Iowa?
Iowa law counts a stun gun or Taser (a portable device that sends a high-voltage electric pulse designed to immobilize a person) as a "dangerous weapon." Iowa does not require a permit for adults to carry a dangerous weapon openly or concealed where carrying is otherwise lawful. A minor who goes armed with a stun gun, concealed or not, commits a simple misdemeanor, and using any dangerous weapon while committing a crime is an aggravated misdemeanor. Iowa's public universities and community colleges may not ban non-projectile stun guns on campus, though they may bar people with felony convictions from having them there.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.