Iowa's Constitutional Carry and how it affects you.

The big question, should you still get your Iowa permit?
The answer: YES!!!

I'm getting lots of questions about if a person should still get or renew their Iowa permit when Iowa has "Constitutional Carry". Well there are a LOT of reasons. Here's a list from the Iowa Department of Public Safety on why you should get it.

  1. Allows Iowans to carry in states with permit reciprocity while traveling.

  2. May prevent potential delays resulting from a delayed NICS check when purchasing from a FFL.

  3. May clarify any questions an individual has regarding their eligibility to carry or possess firearms.

  4. 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 of the Gun Free School Zones Act, 18 USC § 921(a)(25) and 18 USC § 922(q)(2).

Number 1, 3, and 4 are the big ones for me.

1. Carrying in other states is a big reason to get the Iowa permit. Just because you're able to carry in Iowa, in Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, you're going to need your Iowa permit. See handgunlaw.us to see what states your Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons is good in.

3. Can you imagine getting stopped for speeding, and the police officer asks if there are any weapons in the car (normal procedure) and you don't have a permit? You are going to be detained for a while as the police officer does a background check to see if you can or cannot legally possess a firearm. If you have a permit, they already know that you're NOT a felon and you're good to go!

4. Federal law says if you don't have a state issue permit issued to you, you cannot carry a firearm within 1000 feet of a school. Doing so is a felony.