Iowa

Secure Storage
Laws in Iowa

Iowa has very few remaining gun violence prevention laws after a major inflection point in 2021 when the state repealed several gun safety laws. The only foundational gun law Iowa has in place is a limited child access prevention law, which took effect in 1990.

State Requirements

Secure Storage in Iowa

Iowa state law requires gun owners to securely store their loaded firearms to prevent children under 14 from accessing them. Expand each section below for full requirements and what happens if they aren’t met.

The information provided here is not legal advice and should not be understood as such. Consult with an attorney if you have questions about how your state’s laws apply to your specific circumstances.

Gun owners in Iowa are required to store their firearm(s) in their homes securely when any child under 14 is likely to gain access to it.
Secure storage in Iowa means that loaded firearms must be:

  • Secured by a trigger lock mechanism; or
  • Placed in a securely locked box or container; or
  • Placed in some other location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure from a child under age 14.

Gun owners in Iowa may be subject to criminal penalties if:

  • They fail to store a loaded firearm secured by a trigger lock mechanism, placed in a securely locked box or container, or placed in some other location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure from a child under age 14, if a child under age 14 is likely to gain access to it; and
  • A child under age 14 gains access to the loaded firearm; and
  • The child exhibits the firearm in public or uses it to cause injury or death.

By the Numbers

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More than 1,300 children and teens (0–19) die by gun suicide each year — 4 children and teens each day.Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, WONDER Online Database, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death (accessed August 10, 2026). Average: 2021–2025. Ages: 0–19.

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More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year; a significant portion of those are stolen from cars.

Best Practices

Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles

Gun safety is always an adult’s responsibility, no matter what your state’s laws require — secure storage protects your kids, family, and community from tragedy.

There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best solution is one you will use consistently, every time.

Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.

Remember

Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely

Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.

Locked Up

With keys or codes kept private

Unloaded

Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun

Separate from ammunition

Store ammunition in a different place from guns

Download

Iowa Secure Gun Storage Sheet

Download information about secure gun storage in Iowa in English or Spanish.