…A concealed carry permit. Iowa has referred to our permit as a “PTC” or Permit to Carry Weapons since I was knee-high on a grasshopper. I’ve heard just about all the variations you can imagine over the years.
“Hey ol’ buddy, just picked up my concealed carry card.”
NOPE…
“Hey Michael, I got my conceal to carry permit last week.”
NOPE…
It is important to note Iowa does not have a concealment requirement of our permit. However, there is ONE exception. The Iowa Capitol building does require the concealment of your weapon – open carry isn’t allowed in the Capitol Building.
There is always debate on the choice to carry openly or concealed. Most folks carry concealed for a tactical and strategic advantage. In most cases, I agree. However, that is primarily because Iowans aren’t used to seeing folks with a hogleg strapped to their side. I have a property in Colorado and spend lots of time in Wyoming. You can’t toss a dead cat without hitting somebody carrying openly. That’s just part of the culture and I assure you it is normal and accepted. So, it takes a while for folks to warm up to seeing open carry. Maybe that is in Iowa’s future. You never know. But, it isn’t illegal, no matter what you might think. Just know that if you choose to carry openly, you’re choosing heightened scrutiny by anyone with a set of peepers. Some, you might not prefer.
Additionally, Iowa’s Permit to Carry Weapons isn’t limited to a handgun. You could use it for the purposes of carrying a long gun, a knife, etc. Many states restrict you into the carrying of a handgun only, or the gun be concealed only, or this, or that. Iowa’s law is easy to grasp. I would imagine the simplicity in the law and the trust Iowa places in its upstanding citizens is why our permit is so popular. Over 420,000 permits are current in Iowa, which places our state 2nd out of 50, for the highest ratio of permits to the population in the nation.
If you’d like to go read about it, FOLLOW THIS HOT LINK to Iowa Code Section 724, and enjoy.
So, let’s recap… It isn’t a “concealed carry permit” here in Iowa. Iowa has a Permit to Carry (PTC), and you can carry openly, concealed, long gun, handgun, knife, some jacks, or whatever… (Yes, after having stepped on my son’s jacks with bare feet a few nights ago in the dark, I’d consider them a dangerous weapon). About 1 in 6 Iowans eligible for a Permit to Carry has one and is carrying. I’d love for more criminals to read this blog and then reconsider their life choices. Yes, we have a PTA (Permit to Acquire) as well, but it is no longer a prerequisite for buying a handgun, and there aren’t a ton of them issued compared to the Iowa PTC.
If you’re enjoying your permit, or are planning to get one, you’re welcome. IFC worked for years to obtain this for you all and while others may attempt to take credit, we were the only ones in the Capitol Building doing the heavy lifting. It was IFC (then Iowa Carry) and NRA at the table negotiating with the Democrat Senate, Democrat House, and Democrat Governor to realize this goal. No other advocacy groups were in the room. We’re glad the law we built is now considered the best in the nation, and we’d love your support as members of IFC. JOIN HERE.
In Liberty,
Michael Ware
IFC
Can you explain to me the benefits of having the law of stand my ground in Iowa with carrying open carry without a permit? Isn’t open carry telling the bad guy you have a gun and mean business already and not to consider you a sheep? I have seen so many incidents in which groups use this Stand my ground as a defense in court when both knew there were guns in possession of both parties. Who was responsible for the Stand your ground law? Should there be better definition to this law?
Don,
I think you have a few assumptions we need to tackle. First, Iowa has never had a concealed carry permit. It has ALWAYS been a permit to carry a weapon. Some sheriffs in some counties amended their permits to allow for concealed only, back during “May Issue” days, but your choice to carry a weapon in the fashion that best suits you, has been intact in Iowa. Second, the assumption a person carrying a weapon “means business” will get someone in a lot of trouble. Simply carrying a weapon doesn’t dictate it’ll be used, whether concealed or openly carried. Third, when you state that you’ve “seen so many incidents” this doesn’t hold true for the FBI crime statistics. You may have a situation you’re aware of where two parties were both openly carrying, but that isn’t the norm, and certainly isn’t the majority.
Fourth and most importantly, the premise people carry a defense tool like a gun, knife, spray, taser, etc. is in a defensive posture, not offensive. Stand Your Ground, is simply saying you don’t have to retreat and continue retreating until you have no place left to go, should you survive your retreat. You don’t choose the moment, Don. The moment chooses you. In the case of SYG, you may or may not choose to act in a way that spares human life. But should you do so appropriately, you shouldn’t be penalized for it.
Are you familiar with Iowa’s law specifically, or where is the definition of SYG you appear to be referencing? It is important we make sure we’re talking about the same section in the Iowa code, as that is what we’re bound to adhere to…
-Michael
4-8-22: Your are reading this because you are interested in Firearms and in Liberty, these are linked together! The new Supreme Court Justice appointment just took us one step closer to losing our precious Second Amendment Rights! The Freedom Amendment to the Iowa Constitution just became your most important vote on the November Ballot! Make sure you Vote in the June Primaries and in the November election. Now is the time for you to take Personal Action….let your acquaintances know how important the Freedom Amendment is. Ask them to join the IFC. Make sure you look on the back side of your Voting Ballot and Vote YES for the Freedom Amendment. Thank You for reading this. For our Republic!
Thank you for all the hard work and time spent on getting things done concerning firearms and our rights.
This is our pleasure. IFC is dedicated to service.
Thank you so very much for the work over the years to accomplish this extraordinary position.
Many of us do recognize it and what it means to us.
You are quite welcome. This is what IFC does, daily.
Thank you for informing me. Great article explaining the law and the rules. I always wondered about having a firearm on the Capital grounds now I know. Glad I am a member of this group
Thank you, and IFC appreciates your membership and fellowship.