Iowa’s lawmakers recently repealed key gun safety measures, and must do much more to close loopholes and keep guns from being used irresponsibly.
In 2021, the Iowa legislature took the dangerous step of adopting “permitless carry” and repealing a longstanding state law requiring handgun background checks. The legislature also authorized a ballot measure that invites an onslaught of litigation over basic gun safety laws, including prohibitions for those convicted of felony or domestic violence offenses. In 2022, Iowa had the tenth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 332 people die from gun violence in the state. That means that someone dies from gun violence every 26 hours. Seventy-nine percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 18% are gun homicides. In Iowa, the rate of gun deaths increased 39% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nationwide.
What Iowa Does Well
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Child access prevention laws
- Certain disarming procedures
What Iowa Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Concealed carry permitting law
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- Local authority to regulate firearms
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Firearms licensing
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: States with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE IOWA’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
