<P> Iowa has enacted state preemption of firearms laws, so local units of government may not restrict the ownership, possession, or transfer of firearms, or require their registration . </P> <P> Under Iowa law, private citizens may not possess automatic firearms, any firearm "other than a shotgun or muzzle loading rifle, cannon, pistol, revolver or musket" with a bore of more than 6 / 10 of an inch (unless it is an antique made in or before 1898), or any explosive, incendiary or poison gas destructive device . Sound suppressors ("silencers"), short - barreled rifles (barrels under 16 inches), and short - barreled shotguns (barrels under 18 inches) may be possessed if federally registered . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State Preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.28 </Td> <Td> A political subdivision of the state shall not enact an ordinance regulating the ownership, possession, legal transfer, lawful transportation, registration, or licensing of firearms when the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation is otherwise lawful under the laws of this state </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Permit to Purchase? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.15 </Td> <Td> Permit To Carry may be used in lieu of Permit to Acquire when purchasing a handgun </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Concealed carry permit required? </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.4 </Td> <Td> Iowa is a "shall issue" state . An Iowa carry permit is technically a "Permit To Carry Weapons", and is not limited to firearms . It allows people in Iowa to open or conceal carry any kind of weapon, so long as that weapon is not otherwise illegal to own in Iowa . However, based on the current wording of the statute, state preemption only applies to firearms . As such, residents are advised to be aware of local ordinances that might restrict the possession of knives, swords, or other types of weapons that are not firearms . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open Carry? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.7 </Td> <Td> Iowa issues a "Permit to Carry Weapons" that is necessary to carry a firearm . Firearms may be carried open or concealed . Concealed carry is more typical in Iowa, but open carry is not uncommon . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Castle Doctrine </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> Yes </Td> <Td> 704 <P> 707.6 </P> </Td> <Td> Civil immunity for use of "reasonable force" in self defense </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Magazine Capacity Restriction? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.1 </Td> <Td> Machine guns, destructive devices, etc. illegal . <P> Suppressors legal as of March 31, 2016 . Short barreled rifle / shotgun legal as of April 13, 2017 . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 724.15 </Td> <Td> A person acquiring a handgun must have an annual Permit To Acquire pistols or revolvers or a current Permit To Carry . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Can you open carry a rifle in iowa