In 2025, Iowa passed a law lowering the minimum age to purchase a handgun from 21 to 18. 1 State law already prohibited the sale or transfer of long guns or their ammunition to anyone under 18.2 While Iowa does not require a permit to purchase firearms, the state continues to offer a permit for reciprocity purposes, which is only available to individuals 21 and older.3
These restrictions are subject to certain exceptions. A parent, guardian, spouse age 18 or older, or another with the express consent of the minor’s parent or guardian or spouse who is at least age 18 may allow a minor of any age to possess a rifle or shotgun and ammunition for lawful use.4 A parent or guardian or spouse who is age 18 or older may allow a minor of any age to possess a handgun or handgun ammunition for any lawful purpose while under the “direct supervision” of the parent, guardian or spouse, or while the person receives instruction in the proper use of a handgun from an instructor age 18 or older, with the consent of the parent, guardian or spouse.5
Federal law imposes additional limits.
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- Iowa House Bill 924 (2025).[↩]
- Iowa Code § 724.22.[↩]
- Iowa Code § 724.15.[↩]
- Iowa Code § 724.22(1), (3).[↩]
- Iowa Code § 724.22(5). “Direct supervision” is defined to mean “physical presence near the supervised person” by a parent, guardian, spouse or a firearms instructor over age 18, when the supervising individual “maintains visual and verbal contact at all times with the supervised person” and is not intoxicated or under the influence of an illegal drug. Id.[↩]