Buying a Gun in Iowa

A person under eighteen may not acquire a pistol or revolver. Selling, loaning, giving or making available a pistol or revolver or its ammunition to a person under 18 is a serious misdemeanor (class D felony for repeat offenses), except that a parent, guardian or adult spouse may allow supervised possession or instruction. Selling or giving a rifle or shotgun or its ammunition to a minor is likewise a serious misdemeanor, except that a parent, guardian or adult spouse (or another person with their express consent) may allow a minor to possess one. A person under 21 may not be issued a permit to acquire a handgun, and a permit to carry held by someone under 21 does not count for a dealer handgun purchase. These rules apply to private sellers.

Iowa has no state law that requires a background check for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. Iowa's permit/background-check rule applies to acquiring a pistol or revolver from a federally licensed dealer: the buyer must have a valid permit to acquire or permit to carry, or pass a NICS check. A permit to acquire (optional) is issued by the sheriff after a criminal history check, valid three days after application and for five years. Private sellers may not transfer, loan or rent a firearm to someone they know or reasonably should know is prohibited, intoxicated or ineligible (class D felony).

Iowa has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm. An optional permit to acquire handguns becomes valid three days after the date of application.

Iowa has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits.