Iowa State NFA Rules and Allowable NFA Items

Iowa’s laws create an almost complete ban of NFA items. A citizen may possess NFA items with a Curio and Relics license. In this case, the NFA items may only be used for historical reenactments and may only shoot blank ammunition. In addition, if a person is using a silencer to shoot a deer during the participation of a sanctioned population control plan, it is allowed.

Possession of NFA Items:

Iowa Code 724.1 OFFENSIVE WEAPONS.
     An offensive weapon is any device or instrumentality of the following types:
     1. A machine gun. A machine gun is a firearm which shoots or is designed to shoot more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.

      2. A short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun. A short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun is a rifle with a barrel or barrels less than sixteen inches in length or a shotgun with a barrel or barrels less than eighteen inches in length, as measured from the face of the closed bolt or standing breech to the muzzle, or any rifle or shotgun with an overall length less than twenty-six inches.
     8. Any mechanical device specifically constructed and designed so that when attached to a firearm silences, muffles, or suppresses the sound when fired. However, this subsection does not apply to a mechanical device possessed and used by a person solely for the purpose of shooting a deer pursuant to an approved city special deer population control plan if the person has a valid federal permit to possess and use the mechanical device.

 Iowa Code 724.2 AUTHORITY TO POSSESS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS.
     Any of the following is authorized to possess an offensive weapon when the person's duties or lawful activities require or permit such possession:

     8. A resident of this state who possesses an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44, solely for use in the official functions of a historical reenactment organization of which the person is a member, if the offensive weapon has been permanently rendered unfit for the firing of live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.
     9. A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44, solely for use in official functions in this state of a historical reenactment organization of which the person is a member, if the offensive weapon is legally possessed by the person in the person's state of residence and the offensive weapon is at all times while in this state rendered incapable of firing live ammunition. A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon under this subsection while in this state shall not have in the person's possession live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.

 724.3 UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF OFFENSIVE WEAPONS.

Any person, other than a person authorized herein, who knowingly possesses an offensive weapon, commits a class "D" felony.

Legal Disclaimer:

This information is provided as a service to the public. It is NOT intended as legal advice and should never be considered as such. This information was up to date at the time of publication.