Weapon Permits

Department of Public Safety information regarding Frequently Asked Questions relative to the new gun laws that become effective January 1, 2011.

Permits must be issued in person at the Scott County Sheriff’s office from M-F 8 to 4:30. A valid Drivers License with correct Scott County address is required. A permit to purchase is $10. In the event a person is denied a permit based on a background check, the fee is non-refundable. You must be 21 years of age and be a current resident of Scott County.

Please Note: Any person who has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence (or misdemeanor crime resulting from domestic violence) will not be issued a permit.

Obtaining Weapon Permits

The Sheriff of your county of residence is the only person who is authorized to issue permits unless you are a non-resident of Iowa or require a permit as a result of your employment by the State of Iowa, in which case the Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety can issue permits to carry. You may contact the Iowa Department of Public Safety by email: wpinfo@dps.state.ia.us or by telephone: 515-725-6230

The Sheriff may issue both a professional and a non-professional permit to the same individual if circumstances warrant.

A permit may be issued to a temporary resident of Iowa (i.e.; a student residing in Iowa but whose permanent home is another state or a person in the armed services working at Rock Island Arsenal).

You will be required to bring in:

Types of Permits Available:

Annual Permit to Acquire Pistols or Revolvers

A permit to acquire authorizes the holder to acquire (purchase) pistols and revolvers and long guns; however, this does not authorize the holder to carry a weapon. An Iowa permit to acquire pistols and revolvers shall be valid three days after the date of application and is valid for one year after the date of application (Code of Iowa, section 724.20). It is valid only in the State of Iowa.

You will need the following:

Permit to Carry Weapons (Non-Professional)

A Nonprofessional permit to carry authorizes the permit holder to carry weapons.

Fill out the State of Iowa Application for Permit to Carry Weapons found on the Scott County Website. Go to: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/asd/weapon_permits.shtmlor in the Sheriff’s Office. Turn application into the Sheriff’s Office IN PERSON. Bring a current state ID/drivers license and valid proof of residency if your current Scott County address is not listed on your ID (ie. Utility bill, phone bill, etc.) as well as recent proof of taking an NRA certified firearms safety course. A DD214 with honorable discharge is accepted in lieu of an NRA certified firearms safety course.

Other information

All permits are valid for 5 years. The cost is $50.00 cash or check. You need to renew 30 days before it expires. Do not carry after your permit has expired. You can use your Permit to Carry as a Purchase Permit.

Permit to Carry Weapons (Professional)

A professional permit to carry authorizes the permit holder to carry weapons in connection with their employment. A professional permit is only valid while going to and from work and while actually engaged in the employment for which it was issued.

You will need the following:

Other information

There is no registration in the State of Iowa for handguns. Keep the paperwork (bill of sale) if you buy/sell from an individual or gun shop.

Please call the Sheriff's Office at 326-8625 ext 6 with any questions.

Suggestions

Please consider the following suggestions:

Firearm Safety Classes:

Local businesses that provide firearm safety classes.