WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors.

Legal Information: Iowa

State Gun Laws

Laws current as of August 5, 2024

I do not have a protective order against the abuser and they have not been convicted of a crime. Can they have a gun?

Under Iowa state law, adults are generally allowed to have guns unless they have a protective order against them or they have been convicted of certain crimes.

However, it might not be legal to carry a gun, even if it’s legal to own one. Go to Is it legal for an abuser to carry a gun? for more information.

In addition, there are federal laws that may restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun under other circumstances. Federal laws apply to all states. Go to our Federal Gun Laws page to get more information.

Even if these situations do not apply to you, you can still plan for your safety. See our Safety Planning page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for help in making a personalized plan. See our Iowa Places that Help page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.

For more information on gun laws in Iowa, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.

Legal Information

© 2008–2025 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.