Iowa generally permits civilian ownership of items regulated by the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) so long as the owner complies with federal law....
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Iowa generally permits civilian ownership of items regulated by the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) so long as the owner complies with federal law. The relevant Iowa statute is Iowa Code Section 724.3 (offensive weapons), which lists categories of "offensive weapons" that are restricted at the state level but contains an exception for items lawfully possessed under federal law.
Iowa Code Section 724.1 defines "offensive weapon" to include:
Iowa Code Section 724.3(1) generally prohibits possession of "offensive weapons" but contains a critical exception:
A person who is in compliance with federal law, including the National Firearms Act, may possess an offensive weapon if the weapon is registered to that person in accordance with the federal Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, and any rules adopted pursuant to that Act.
In practice, this means:
For most NFA items, the federal process is:
Many Iowans use a gun trust (NFA trust) to streamline shared possession and estate planning.
Suppressors are lawful to own in Iowa for any person who can lawfully possess a firearm and who completes the federal Form 4 process. Hunting with a suppressor is also lawful in Iowa under Iowa Code Section 481A.1 and Iowa DNR regulations.
Lawful in Iowa for federally-registered owners. The same Form 4 process applies. Note that Iowa law does not impose a separate state registration requirement.
Lawful to possess in Iowa with proper federal registration and tax stamp.
Iowa Code Section 724.1 also lists some items that are not federally regulated as NFA items but are nonetheless restricted in Iowa, including certain ballistic knives and some categories of weapons not at issue for ordinary firearm owners.
ATF has reclassified bump stocks and similar devices as machine guns under federal law in some prior rulemakings, with subsequent litigation. The legal status has changed multiple times. As of 2025, possession of an unregistered auto sear, "Glock switch," or other selective-fire conversion device is a federal felony under 26 U.S.C. Section 5861 and 18 U.S.C. Section 922(o). Iowa enforces these federal prohibitions through state criminal statutes such as Iowa Code Section 724.3. Verify current ATF guidance before purchasing any binary trigger, force-reset trigger, or similar device.
Iowa retail sales tax applies to the sale price of the firearm or NFA item. The $200 federal tax stamp is not subject to Iowa sales tax.
The CLEO (chief law-enforcement officer) sign-off requirement was replaced in 2016 by an ATF notification requirement; the CLEO is notified but does not approve or deny the transfer. Iowa law-enforcement officers generally accept the notification without further inquiry.
A person who possesses an "offensive weapon" in violation of Iowa Code Section 724.3 (i.e., without federal compliance) commits a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine. A federal NFA violation under 26 U.S.C. Section 5861 is a separate felony.
This page covers one part of our Iowa concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Iowa guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.