Iowa Tacomas (Idiots.Out.Wandering.Around)

@CygnusX191

What are gun laws like in Iowa? Do you have to get a license to carry concealed, and if so how hard is it to get one?

 

So, my 12-year old truck purchased new in Pennsylvania would be cheaper to register?

 

That's a good question for an Iowa resident. Being that I live in Missouri which is arguably the best state in regards to 2A laws... Lol.

My understanding though is that Iowa is permitless carry, so long as you're over 21 and not a felon.

 

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ia-gun-laws/

Check this out for in depth understanding of what you can do, can't do, and probably shouldn't do

 

From what I've heard, even if you're not a felon, you can't have a gun if you've ever been involuntarily committed; I don't fall into either of those categories and I actually have Pennsylvania carry permit even though I don't carry (yet).

 

Iowa will honor your Pennsylvania carry permit.

 

Last July, Iowa passed permit-less conceal carry. I think getting a CC permit is still worth it for the reciprocity with other states, and for ease of purchase at gun shows or shops. Without a permit to carry or a permit to buy, the shops still run a background check, but if it comes back clean, there is no waiting period. The day my nephew turned 21, he went to local gun store, ask about buying a M&P Shield, they ran a background check, and he walked out with the gun. It took him longer to drive to the gun shop, than the whole purchase did.

Getting the permit varies by county. Iowa is a "Shall Issue" state, so as long as you pass a background check, you will get the permit. But, the county doesn't need to be quick about issuing it. In Polk county where Des Moines, the State capitol is, with a huge Democratic population, people wait months for the permit to be issued. I'm in Dallas county right next door to Polk, and I maybe waited 3 weeks for my first one 6 years ago. Most of that was probably waiting on the background check is my guess. In fact, I forgot to renew it last year, and just noticed it last month. I thought it would be a hassle since I was way out of the renewal time frame. I needed to send in an image of my drivers license and proof of weapons training. (The training is basically sitting through a 60 minute class where they go over laws on where you can or can not carry. No actual hands on, live fire, gun safety drills.) As proof of training, I could send a copy of my prior CC permit. I applied on a Sunday for renewal, received confirmation on Monday, and had the permit in my mailbox on Friday. So 5 days for renewal of an expired permit.

 

AR-15s are legal in Iowa? California and Massachusetts seem to be the biggest assholes about specific types of guns...

 

As far as I've seen pretty much everything is legal in Iowa as far as firearms go. That being said there might be specifics about hunting restrictions, some flat states do have restrictions on using rifles to hunt due to overshooting targets etc.

 

One thing I'm noticing is that even with the housing market as insane as it right now, homes in Iowa (including Davenport) are much more expensive than I thought they would be. From what I've read, Davenport and the entire metropolitan area around it has a lot of manufacturing jobs (with John Deere being one of the largest employers), and it is a very fast-growing area; You can still get a hell of a lot more house in even the most expensive parts of Iowa than you can in my neck of the woods though!

 

Oh yeah. As long as it's not federally restricted, you are good to go. So no full auto without a special permit.

There is a guy that goes around doing events at different ranges called Jerry's Machine Guns. He already has the federal permits for full auto. You show up to an event, pay the $10 entrance fee, pay him for the ammo, and have fun.

I'm not a hunter, but @CygnusX191 is correct. There are hunting restrictions on gun types that are legal for certain game. And also think there are restrictions on concealed carry when hunting. Like you can't carry your 9mm while deer hunting with a shotgun.

 

I'm not a hunter; I would like to go hunting sometime just to see what it's like, but I don't see myself ever taking up hunting as a regular hobby. I've gone shooting before, and my reasons for wanting a gun are self-defense and just-for-fun target shooting.

 

Yeah you can buy about anything but the hunting restrictions are fairly strict depending on the game. Deer require blaze orange of a certain amount and shotguns or 10mm or larger straight wall pistol cartridges. No rifles (outside of some special seasons they had for a while)

 

Yep. It’s dumb. And it doesn’t decrease until year 7.

But motorcycles and trailers are only $21

 

I’m not a huge fan of Davenport but I guess it depends what you are looking for. Des Moines metro is growing like crazy and only a couple hours from anything in the Midwest (Kansas City, Minneapolis, Denver, chicago). Housing market blows currently though

cost of living in Iowa is pretty cheap compared to a lot of other places.

 

It went to a shall issue state a while back (when I got mine) and now doesn’t require one but many still get one for reciprocity. Also makes the buying process easier / faster.

 

Housing market blows pretty much everywhere there's something even remotely resembling a decent-paying job! However, I saw a house in Davenport on Zillow for less than $700K that would probably be $1.5 million where I currently live!

 

That’s why I live in the country and work remotely lol

 

What is the most common residential heating source in Iowa that you've seen? In Pennsylvania it's definitely straight-cool central A/C with natural gas heat. I'm guessing that since you live in the country, you have oil, propane, or an electric heat pump? Most of the houses in Iowa that I looked at on Zillow seem to have gas heat, and the overwhelming majority seem to have central A/C, even the older and/or cheaper ones...

 

This would easily be over $1.5 million in my area!